Reading 1
2 Cor 9:6-10
Brothers and sisters:
Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly,
and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion,
for God loves a cheerful giver.
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.
As it is written:
He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.
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.
112:1-2, 5-6, 7-8, 9
Responsorial PsalmR. (5)
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.
R. Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.
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.
R. Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.
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.
R. Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.
Lavishly he gives to the poor,
his generosity shall endure forever;
his horn shall be exalted in glory.
R. Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.
Gospel
Jn 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.”
Meditation: 2 Corinthians 9:6-10
God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7)
St. Lawrence is one of the few saints whose feast is obligatory for the entire church, even though we don’t know a great deal about him. Stories about this brave, generous, and good-humored martyr from the third century have continued to inspire believers all over the world.
Lawrence was one of seven deacons in the church of Rome entrusted with the church’s treasure. His responsibilities included safeguarding its sacred vessels and using money from tithes and collections for almsgiving.
When the prefect of Rome learned that the Christians used cups, plates, and candlesticks made of gold and other precious materials in their liturgy, he summoned Lawrence and demanded an accounting. Persuasively, the prefect pointed out that Jesus was a poor man who cared nothing for riches and who taught his followers to render such things to Caesar. Surely the church wouldn’t mind parting with these material things to help boost the treasury of the Roman Empire.
Lawrence asked for three days to complete his inventory. During that time, he sold most of the precious vessels and gave the proceeds to the poor of the city. Then he assembled all the people who benefited from his generosity: beggars, orphans, the infirm. When the prefect demanded the church’ s treasure, Lawrence swept his arm over this motley crew and declared: “Here is the treasure of the church.” Furious, the prefect made Lawrence a martyr by having him roasted alive on a gridiron.
This story invites us to reflect on our treasure. Imagine that your house is on fire and you can rescue only one item. Many options might flash through your mind. Perhaps you would choose your bank statement. Perhaps you’d snatch a valuable painting. These are not poor choices, but maybe something that doesn’t have great monetary value is even more important. Maybe you couldn’t bear to leave behind your child’s handprint or your family Bible.
Jesus told us: “Where your treasure is, there also will your heart be” (Matthew 6:21). So let’s take St. Lawrence as our example and ponder where our hearts are today.
“Lord Jesus, you are my greatest treasure. Help my choices to reflect what matters most to you.”
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