those who despise their life in this world save it even to everlasting life.

Whoever wants to serve me, let him follow me; and wherever I am, there shall my servant be
also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

Reflect

Saint Lawrence, whom we celebrate today, was a deacon of the Church in Rome, responsible
in part for caring for the Church’s goods. During one of the persecutions, the civil authorities
demanded that he bring the treasures of the Church to them the very next day.

Lawrence appeared before the authorities as requested, accompanied by the poor of the
community who relied upon the Church’s charity to survive. These, Lawrence told the
officials, are the Church’s treasures. You probably won’t be surprised to learn that Lawrence
died a martyr’s death.

The Church has held to Lawrence’s understanding even to our day, proclaiming a preferential
option for the poor. We are called to die to ourselves and to give all that we can to those who
are most vulnerable and in the greatest need. We have been promised that those who give all
they have will receive from the Lord the greatest treasure of all – eternal life.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2023