Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr: Aug 10

Today is the Feast day of St. Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr so you could most likely guess what the subject of my homely might be.

The Diaconate, as an ordained ministry, has its origins in the early church. It is written about in Acts 6, were the apostles decide that they need to appoint others to take care of table service.// In other words taking care of the bodily needs of the people, so the apostles can spend more time preaching the Word.

One of those appointed, at that time, we know as St. Stephen whose martyrdom is also written about in Acts.

St. Lawrence, patron of deacons, was martyred in 258 during the persecution by a Roman Emperor named Valerian. During this time the Roman Empire was coming on rough times and its leaders were looking for somebody to blame. The Christians were kind of a different bunch and to make them even more appealing as “scrape goats” they refused to worship the Emperor as God.

In St Lawrence’s case, besides being part of the Christian leadership, when he seen how things were going, while he still had a chance, he sold many of the Churches assets and gave the money to the poor. This maddened the government leadership and contributed to St. Lawrence’s death. His actions characterize one of the highest principles of the deaconate to serve the physically as well as spiritually poor.

He had such a strong commitment to serve the Body of Christ, The Church, the people of God through service to persons in need of the basics of food, clothing and shelter. That when he was put to death for his Christian acts. He faced it with such valor, as did many of the Christian martyrs that his and their deaths did not wipe out the church but actually strengthened it.

We are not normally asked to make such a great sacrifice, although in our modern day martyrdom is still taking place in some areas of the world. // We must continue to remember in our prayers peoples that are being harshly persecuted for their faith.

As members of the a Christian Faith Community we are subject to our share of ridicule and bashing were our faith and worship is distorted and mocked by the popular media. But, as we see by the example of St. Lawrence and all the others persecuted and even martyred for their faith. Just the facts we face undo consequences and hold firm to the faith.

We serve and aid in the maintenance of our faith community. As we are told by Jesus in today’s gospel, “ Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be”.