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First Reading: 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.
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 112:1-2,5-6,7-8,9
R Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
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 be God who filled my soul with fire!
Wealth and riches shall be in his house;
his generosity shall endure forever.
Light shines through the darkness for the upright;
he is gracious and merciful and just.
R Blessed be God who filled my soul with fire!
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 be God who filled my soul with fire!
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 be God who filled my soul with fire!
Lavishly he gives to the poor,
his generosity shall endure forever;
his horn shall be exalted in glory.
R Blessed be God who filled my soul with fire!
Gospel Reading: John 12:24-26
Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly, I say to you, unless the grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.
"Those who love their life destroy it, and those who despise their life in this world keep it for everlasting life.
"Whoever wants to serve me, let him follow me and wherever I am, there shall my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him."
Two lessons
Few saints are celebrated in the universal Church as feast days if they are not apostles. One of them is St. Lawrence, a deacon of the community of Rome. His feast was already very popular in the fourth century. In the persecution of Valerian, he was martyred by being roasted alive on a grill, according to the Acts.
The Gospel reading underlines another aspect of St. Lawrence: his availability to sacrifice, even unto death. Jesus’ comparison is expressive: a grain of wheat dies in the earth’s bosom, but it is to bear fruit. Knowing how to renounce oneself is necessary to gain the most important values. The best model is Jesus, who sacrificed his life to save humanity. Lawrence, a lucid and generous martyr, knew how to follow the ways of Jesus. These are the two lessons that St. Lawrence can give us today: great charity towards the poor and total availability to bear witness to Christ, even to the point of martyrdom, if necessary.
bibleclaret.orgIntroduction
As a deacon, Lawrence was placed in charge of the poor of Rome. When he was ordered to surrender the goods of the Church to the persecutors, he distributed them to the poor. When asked where the treasures of the Church were, heshowed the poor… He was broiled alive. Rome venerates him as one of the greatest saints and co-patron of Rome with Peter and Paul. May we learn loyal service from him.
Opening Prayer
Our generous God,
You want us to be to everyone
ministers of your joy and generosity.
Help us to express our gratitude to you
and to reveal your goodness
by sharing what we are and have
with joy and in all sincerity
like the deacon St. Lawrence,
who imitated the self-giving
of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Liturgy of the Word
General Intercessions
– That we may be discreet and unobtrusive in helping people in need, we pray:
– That we may learn to see the unspoken needs of timid, simple and humble people,
we pray:
– That the Lord make us joyful and generous of hearts and hands, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord God, our life and joy,
you give us not only what we need
but you give us the best of yourself
in your Son Jesus Christ.
Accept from our hands
these humble gifts of bread and wine,
which we have received from you,
and through them let Christ come among us.
May they express that we too
are willing to share with others
without demanding favors or recompense.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Prayer after Communion
Lord our God,
your gifts to us are humble and veiled,
like the giving himself to us of your Son,
in the signs of bread and wine.
God, who look into the depths of our heart,
teach us to share without display,
that our left hand may not know
what our right hand is giving.
Let it be our joy to know that you know.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.
Blessing
”The more you sow, the more you reap.” Let us learn from God to be generous, for he is not stingy with his gifts to us. God loves the joyful giver. May God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
