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Gospel: John 12: 24-26
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Amen, amen, I say to you,
unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies,
it remains just a grain of wheat;
but if it dies, it produces much fruit.
Whoever loves his life loses it,
and whoever hates his life in this world
will preserve it for eternal life.
Whoever serves me must follow me,
and where I am, there also will my servant be.
The Father will honor whoever serves me.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
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Would you believe that more Christians died for their faith in the 20th century than in every other century combined?
While we are safe here in America, this isn’t the case for many, particularly in the developing world.
Too often, Christians are forced into professing their faith at the expense of their lives.
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This was also the story of Saint Lawrence, whose feast day we celebrate today.
In the year 258 AD, the Roman Emperor Valerian issued a decree that any Christian found must be killed.
Many would understandably run and hide. But Saint Lawrence went about his business, distributing food, clothing, and money to those in need.
Inevitably, when he was found by the local prefect, Lawrence was brought to Valerian, who ordered him to hand over the treasure of the Church, which Valerian believed he was giving to the poor.
Lawrence promised that he would, but asked for three days to collect the Church’s treasure. So, he went throughout the city, gathered all of the poor, the sick, and the dying.
Standing before Valerian, he said: “Behold the treasure of the Church!”
Enraged, Valerian killed Lawrence by tying him to a red-hot grill.
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While not every Christian faces that type of persecution, Lawrence reminds us that the real treasure of the Church is the poor among us.
May we always maintain his focus, never wasting an opportunity to encounter Christ.
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Image credits: (1) St. Lawrence, Tintoretto (2) Early Church History, WordPress (3) Pennys From Heaven Foundation