St. Lawrence, pray for us …
On this day when the Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of St. Lawrence, it is fitting that the Gospel tells us:
“… 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.”
St. Lawrence, like many of the Church’s martyr’s, did not merely fall to the ground. Legend has it that he was tied to a gridiron and roasted alive over small flames — just small enough to make his death slow and painful. His image on prayer cards often includes a depiction of this brutal murder.
What is truly beautiful about Lawrence’s story, however, was how he responded when civil authorities demanded that the Deacon give up the “treasurers of the Church.” One might think that giving into fear, Lawrence might empty out the vaults, collect the deeds of property, shake the last piggy bank until every coin was dropped.
But no, Lawrence spent three days gathering the poor, the meek, the humble, the sick … certainly a “rag-tag group of ailing human beings” in the eyes of some. These, Lawrence tells the Roman leaders, are the true treasures of the Church.
What a beautiful story. Tragic end, of course, but then you read that Gospel again.
Lawrence was willingly serving up his own life as a grain of wheat. We are all called to do the same.
Think about it.
What do we do at funerals? What do we do when we celebrate the birthday (or death day) of our dearly departed? What do some cultures do on El Dia de los Muertos?
We tell stories. We relive the good times, the bad times, the ugly times.
Our lives continue to play out like podcasts (or records for us old-timers) in the hearts and minds of our loved ones.
By our lives – and our deaths – we can inspire others to find their way in life, hopefully (we pray) toward a closer relationship to God.
This is really not just a Catholic thing. Look at how our culture, as sick and corrupt as it has become, can still be moved by tragedy and death. Martin Luther King Jr., John Lennon, the Twin Towers on 9/11, Columbine … there are so many examples of how we have the potential to respond in the aftermath of a tragedy.
That is the message of Jesus today. Be the wheat. Fall to the ground without fear. Transform your story into fruitful harvest for future generations.
Are you living a life worthy of telling a good story at your own funeral?
Better get started on that.
St. Lawrence, pray for us …
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Note to our readers: Dr. Carolyn Berghuis is taking a short sabatical to finish a research paper on the church mystics, but please be assured she is continuing to pray for the Global Light for Christ Community, and your intentions during this time.
GLOBAL LIGHT FOR CHRIST (GLFC)
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