August 10

St. Lawrence, Martyr

Preparation. - “Lawrence,” says the Church in the divine office for his feast, “has done good work, and confessed the name of Christ.” In the first place, he did a good work through his ardent charity, and secondly, he confessed Jesus by his invincible patience. We shall conclude from this, that it is of the utmost importance for us always to act “in the charity of God and the patience of Christ,” as St. Paul says (2 Thess. 3. 5); that is, without bitterness, with meekness of heart and perfect resignation.

I. Charity Of St. Lawrence

Who will bot admire his ardent charity? Having been assured that he should die after three days, and knowing the intentions of the Pope St. Sixtus, imprisoned for Christ’s sake, the holy deacon gathered together all the poor and needy, and distributed among them the treasures confided to his charge. Then replying to the demand of the prefect of Rome for the treasures of the Church, he showed them the multitude of the poor and destitute, saying: “These are the treasures of the Lord, of the Church. Gold, silver and precious stones are vile objects; the poor, among whom we distribute our alms, on the contrary, are the real treasures of the disciples of Jesus.”

This touching speech stirred up the tyrant’s rage; but it shows that true Christians have, at all epochs, considered the indigent as the bankers of the King of kings. Is it not God, indeed, who repays us a hundredfold for the good we do our neighbor? St. Lawrence found no better preparation for his martyrdom, than to practice charity. And, in fact, what is more capable of meriting for us a favorable reception from our Supreme Judge? To the charitable He will, on the last day, address these consoling words: “I was hungry, thirsty, in want, and you have assisted Me.”

O Jesus, Thou sayest to us: “Be ye merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you shall be forgiven. Give, and it shall be given to you; good measure, and pressed down, and shaken together, and running over shall they give you into your bosom; for with the same measure you shall mete withal, it shall be measured to you again” (Luke 6. 36-38). Ought not these words of Thine fill me with wholesome reflections. If I am harsh, intractable, devoid of compassion and mercy toward my neighbor, I must expect a similar treatment from Thee. Wherefore, grant me the grace, first, to stifle in my heart every feeling of resentment and suspicion, all rash judgment, aversion, indifference, and backbiting; and secondly, to be fond of forgiving, obliging and relieving the suffering, and showing every one kindness, benevolence and charity, of which Thou hast given me the example. “Be ye kind to one another; merciful, forgiving one another” (Eph. 4. 32).

II. Invincible Patience Of St. Lawrence

“Patience hath a perfect work,” says St. James (1. 4). St Lawrence proved his holiness by his heroic resignation. How fearful was his martyrdom! After being scourged, his bones were dislocated, his flesh was torn with iron hooks. In the midst of such tortures he was meek as a lamb, uttering not the least complaint, but praying the Lord to call him to Himself.

But a voice from heaven told him of fresh tortures. Was the holy deacon frightened on hearing it? Did he implore the Lord to spare this increase of suffering? No; but feeling happy to suffer still more for His divine Master, he more ardently proclaimed himself a Christian and confounded his persecutors. They broke his jaws with stones, and stretched him out on a gridiron, to roast him alive thereon by a slow fire. But, says St. Augustine, the sacred fire that consumed his heart, was far more intense than the fire that was roasting his flesh. Hence when he was sufficiently roasted on one side, how courageously he exclaimed to his tyrant: “Turn me around, and eat!” Then he continued to suffer cheerfully for the glory of his beloved Lord.

Had we but a spark of his invincible love, how great a resignation would we derive therefrom? But being, alas! too little devoted to Jesus and too little persuaded of the value of sufferings, we so easily complain and are unable to bear any contradiction or the least annoyance. We even allow ourselves to be downcast on account of the hardships of our work, our infirmities and the afflictions and sufferings inseparable from our human condition. The least difficulty met with in our tasks and daily little troubles suffice to rob us of our peace and patience. What would it be, were we called upon, like Jesus and the martyrs, to undergo insults, ill-treatment, blows, torments and a most cruel death?

O my God, I so often repeat: “Lord, I love Thee more than myself;” and when I am spoken to in a disagreeable manner, I offend Thee by my bitterness, my impatience, my murmurs. O Jesus, O Mary, enable me to be, like St. Lawrence, meek, resigned and charitable, and enable me, like him, to enjoy peace amid the most painful difficulties and trials. “I exceedingly abound with joy in all our tribulations” (2 Cor. 7. 4).