REFLECTIONS TODAY
Today, we take a short break following the Gospel of Matthew by taking a passage from the Fourth Gospel. This is to highlight St. Lawrence, deacon and martyr, whose feast we commemorate today. Although still in his youth, Lawrence was among the seven deacons who served the Church of Rome in the mid-third century. During Emperor Valerian’s persecution, Pope Sixtus II urged him, being the steward of the Church’s property, to distribute all the remaining goods to the poor. Soon he was arrested, tortured, but remained steadfast in his faith. In torment, he exclaimed, “My God I honor and Him alone I serve. Therefore I do not fear your torments; this night shall become as brightest day and as light without any darkness.” Lawrence realized in his life what Jesus says in today’s Gospel. He was like that grain of wheat that released its tremendous potential to be incredibly productive. He allowed himself to fall into the ground and die, and thus brought forth a lasting legacy of service to the Church and faithfulness to Christ. In the end, he reaped the harvest of eternal life.
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.”
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2023,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.