Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr

It was Lawrence’s job in his local Church community to handle the treasury, distribute alms to the poor, and take care of the sick, of which more than 1000 were under the care of the Church at this time. He set out to find all of the poor, the widows, the orphans, and all others cared for by the Church. He distributed to them all of the money which he had and even sold the chalices and other sacred vessels of the Church to support the poor. A Roman official assumed that Lawrence was very wealthy, so he demanded that the treasures of the Church be handed over to him. Lawrence promised that he would hand over these treasures, but needed time to assemble and inventory them. He was granted three days. On the third day, Lawrence had assembled hundreds of poor, the old, the lame, the blind, lepers, widows and orphans. Then, going to the Roman official, he presented these as the treasures of the Church.

We sometimes have a tendency to take ourselves too seriously, and forget that God has the ultimate sense of humor. We too are blessed with this gift, and should manage the sufferings which we experience with the best possible grace.