FEAST OF ST LAURENCE

 *FEAST OF ST LAURENCE ( - 258)*

Message.. *"BE GENEROUS- GIVE UNTO  DEATH"

After the death of Sixtus, the prefect of Rome demanded that Lawrence turn over the riches of the Church. St Ambrose is the earliest source for the narrative that Lawrence asked for three days to gather the wealth. He worked swiftly to distribute as much Church property to the indigent as possible, so as to prevent its being seized by the prefect. On the third day, at the head of a small delegation, he presented himself to the prefect, and when ordered to deliver the treasures of the Church he presented the indigent, the crippled, the blind, and the suffering, and declared that these were the true treasures of the Church. One account records him declaring to the prefect, *"The Church is truly rich, far richer than your emperor."* This act of defiance led directly to his martyrdom and can be compared to the parallel Roman tale of the jewels of Cornelia.

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*First reading is self explanatory*

2 Corinthians 9:6-10

Do not forget: *thin sowing means thin reaping;*  *the more you sow, the more you reap.*

Each one should give what he has decided in his own mind, *not grudgingly* or because he is made to, *for God loves a cheerful giver.*

*And there is no limit to the blessings which God can send you* – he will make sure that *you will always have all you need for yourselves* in every possible circumstance, and *still have something to spare for all sorts of good works.*

 As scripture says: He was free in *almsgiving,* and gave to the poor: his good deeds will never be forgotten.

The one who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will *provide* you with all the seed you want and make the harvest of your good deeds a larger one.

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*RESPONSORIAL PSALM*

(On  giving/ Generosity)

Happy the man who takes pity and *lends.*

*Open-handed, he gives to the poor;*

    his justice stands firm for ever.

    His head will be raised in glory.

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*Gospel*

John 12:24-26

Jesus said to his disciples:

‘I tell you, most solemnly,

unless a wheat grain falls on the ground and *dies,*

it remains only a single grain;

but if it dies,

it yields a rich harvest.

Anyone who *loves his life loses it;*

anyone who hates his life in this world

will keep it for the eternal life.

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1. *Give,* and it will be given to you: *a good measure, pressed down and shaken together and overflowing, they will place upon your lap.* Certainly, the same measure that you use to *measure out,* will be used to measure back to you again.” {Luke 6:38}

2. You are the *salt* of the earth. But if salt loses its saltiness, with what will it be salted? It is no longer useful at all, except to be cast out and trampled under by men. (Matthew 5:13)

Salt has to *melt* in order to give taste to the food. We have to sacrifice/die in order give life and meaning to our dear ones.