Feast of St. Lawrence, disciple

         Gina was an only child from a well-to-do family in the province. She married an industrious entrepreneur who afforded her a comfortable life complete with many “alalay” (ladies-in-waiting). Unexpectedly widowed in her 50s, she was transformed overnight from being a plain housewife to the steward of her family, the business and a vast fortune.

       In spite of her religiosity, she eventually got so attached to the business and material wealth. She even failed to give fair wages and benefits to her loyal staff. She also had to deal with never-ending family squabbles over corporate leadership,

inheritance and share of profit. In spite of the abundance of her wealth, she was in constant fear of losing everything.

       Gina is now in her eighties. She looks fragile, worn-out and suffers from severe depression. One day, she lamented to her son, “I have done everything for the Lord except to tithe.”

      The Lord has entrusted each one of us with blessings in varying degrees. And to whom much is given, much is  expected. Wealth should not just serve our own purposes alone but is meant to be shared with others. God loves a cheerful giver. Marie Franco (mariefranco_pie@yahoo.com)

Forgive me, Lord, for the times I ignored the needy and failed to feed, clothe or shelter them. Release me from the bondage of wealth so that I can share with others what You’ve graciously entrusted to me.

St. Lawrence, deacon and martyr, pray for us.

Martyrdom is an inspiring reality. Stories about martyrs are told and retold beyond the context of the actual event. This witness of life is a powerful vehicle for the proclamation of the Gospel. St. Lawrence, whose feast we celebrate today, died more than 1,500 years ago and we still remember him. That is the kind of legacy we must aim to leave behind.

2 Corinthians 9:6-10

6 Brothers and sisters: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work. 9 As it is written: He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever. 10 The one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness.

Psalm 112:1-2, 5-6, 7-8, 9

R: Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.

1 Blessed the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commands. 2 His prosperity shall be mighty upon the earth; the upright generation shall be blessed. (R) 5 Well for the man who is gracious and lends, who conducts his affairs with justice; 6 he shall never be moved; the just one shall be in everlasting remembrance. (R) 7 An evil report he shall not fear; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. 8 His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear till he looks down upon his foes. (R) 9 Lavishly he gives to the poor; his generosity shall endure forever; his horn shall be exalted in glory. (R)

The grain of wheat that falls to the earth and sprouts gains greater integrity as a new plant that gives birth to many more grains of wheat. This is what dying to oneself is all about. We allow the grace of the Holy Spirit to transform us into instruments of the Gospel for the salvation of souls.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life, says the Lord.

John 12:24-26

24 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. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me.”

Thank You Lord for: __________________

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR 2 Maccabees 3-4 

A KINGDOM OF SERVICE

The one thing that Jesus was determined to destroy was suffering — the suffering of the poor and the oppressed. But the only way to do it is to give up all wordly values and suffer the consequences. Only the willingness to suffer can conquer the suffering world. Compassion destroys suffering by suffering with and on behalf of those who suffer. It means suffering in solidarity with the needy and the afflicted. But we can come close to another person only when we are willing to become vulnerable ourselves.

       George T. Therukattil, in his book, Priest, Human Face of Divine Compassion, says it clearly, “A compassionate person says, ‘I am your brother, I am your sister, I am human, fragile, and mortal just like you. I am not scandalized by your tears, nor afraid of your pain. I, too, have wept. I, too, have felt pain.’”

       Compassion enables us to journey with the poor and to be in solidarity with them in their darkness, struggle and anguish. In solidarity with them, Jesus died to Himself like the grain of wheat that fell on the earth. By emptying Himself, He was able to touch many aching hearts. He embraced

many weeping souls and gave power and strength to those in despair.

       The most powerful message of Jesus’ death was His unquenchable compassion for us. Out of compassion, He evangelized the poor and freed them from human miseries. Out of compassion, Jesus taught the people not just to do acts of mercy but to be merciful.

       From the cross, Jesus calls us to love fully. We welcome the kingdom of service which Jesus brought to us in solidarity with everyone, especially with the marginalized who most need our friendship. Fr. Alex Balatbat

REFLECTION QUESTION: How do you express your solidarity with the poor?

Lord Jesus, You trusted in Your Father’s protection. Give us that same confidence and we will gladly suffer with You and for You in our marginalized brothers and sisters. Let our solidarity with them be our sacrifice of praise. Amen.