Greetings on this the Feast of Saint Lawrence, deacon and martyr
Readings: 2 Cor 9:6-10; Ps 112:1-2, 5-6, 7-8, 9; Jn 12:24-26
Notes: Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be.
Serving the LORD (or a LORD) was not a difficult idea in the time of Jesus. There were plenty of gods to pick from to serve.
There is the service of pandering and the world is full of that.
There is the service of love and this is the true treasure of charity.
To serve must include to follow – to imitate – the LORD in his loving concern for the poor.
Otherwise, it’s charity without clarity.
Then he said to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me (LK 9:23).
Lawrence to the prefect of Rome:
Lawrence replied that the Church was indeed rich. “I will show you a valuable part. But give me time to set everything in order and make an inventory.” After three days he gathered a great number of blind, lame, maimed, leprous, orphaned, and widowed persons and put them in rows. When the prefect arrived, Lawrence simply said, “These are the treasure of the Church.”
Source: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-lawrence/
Prior post: http://deacongerrypalermo.blog/2020/08/10/feast-of-st-lawrence/
First Reading
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.
Responsorial
Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.
Blessed the man who fears the LORD,
who greatly delights in his commands.
His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth;
the upright generation shall be blessed.
Well for the man who is gracious and lends,
who conducts his affairs with justice;
He shall never be moved;
the just one shall be in everlasting remembrance.
An evil report he shall not fear;
his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.
His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear
till he looks down upon his foes.
Lavishly he gives to the poor,
his generosity shall endure forever;
his horn shall be exalted in glory.
Gospel Acclamation
Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life, says the Lord.
Gospel
Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be.
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry