Only by service comes fruitfulness (Homily for the feast of St. Lawrence (10 August)
Homily for Wednesday of the 19th week in the ordinary time (Feast of St. Lawrence) 10 August Theme: Only by service comes fruitfulness 2 Corinthians 9:6-10; John 12:24-26 Today the Holy Mother church celebrates the feast of St. Lawrence. Lawrence was a leading figure among the seven deacons of Rome. As a deacon, he assisted the Pope in the celebration of Holy Mass, distributed communion to the faithful, administered the church's property and gave alms to the poor. History has it that under the persecution of Valerian, Lawrence was martyred on 10 August 258. While others were beheaded, Lawrence was burnt alive. In honour of St. Lawrence, the church built a basilica otherwise called the basilica of St. Lawrence on the spot he was buried. In the Gospel of John that we have just heard, Jesus tells us: “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it does, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life will lose it, and those who hate the...