Subj : August 10: Saint Lawrence of Rome To : All From : rich Date : Thu Aug 09 2018 10:11:20 From: rich August 10: Saint Lawrence of Rome (225-258) Saint Lawrence of Rome was arch-deacon, distributor of alms, and =E2=80=9CKeeper of the Treasures of the Church=E2=80=9D during a time when Christianity was outlawed. Saint Lawrence was martyred for his faith after refusing to give the Roman authorities the material wealth of the Church. Instead, when they demanded it, Saint Lawrence produced the crippled, blind, sick, and indigent of Rome, proclaiming them the =E2=80=9Ctrue treasures of the Church.=E2=80=9D Little is known about the life of Saint Lawrence, with the exception that he was born in Spain and later moved to Rome, earning the respect of the Pope and elevated to the position of Arch-Deacon. The inspiration of Saint Lawrence comes in the final days of his life, and the courageous acts of his death. Saint Laurence was chief of the seven Roman deacons of Pope Sixtus II. In 258, Emperor Valerian increased his persecutions of the Christians. One day when Pope Sixtus II was in the cemetery of Saint Calistus celebrating Mass accompanied by some members of his clergy, he was arrested. Along with him, the other six Roman deacons were arrested. As the soldiers took the Pontiff to be put to death, Laurence followed him in anguish crying out: =E2=80=9CWhere are you going, my father, without your son? Where are you going, Holy Pontiff, without your deacon? Isn't it the custom to offer the sacrifice with an assistant? Let m= e prove I am worthy of the choice you made when you entrusted me with the distribution of the Blood of Our Lord.=E2=80=9D The Pope replied to Saint Lawrence: =E2=80=9CI am not leaving you, my son. They are lenient on old men, not the youth. A greater combat is reserved for you. You will follow me in three days.=E2=80=9D With the Pontiff's execution, Lawrence was the highest ranking church author= ity left in Rome. Saint Lawrence was brought before Cornelius Secularis, prefect of Rome under the Emperor Valerian, who, according to Dom Prosper Gu=C3=A9ranger in his Liturgical Year: "aimed at ruining the Christians by prohibiting their assemblies, putting their chief men to death, and confiscating their property." Saint Lawrence asked for a short delay, so he could gather these riches for the prefect, and true to the promise of Pope Sixtus, returned three days after the pontiff's death to hand them over. However, heeding Pope Sixtus II's final words, Lawrence used = his three days to distribute the material wealth of the Church to the poor, before the Roman authorities could lay their hands on it. When the archdeacon returned, instead of bringing vessels of gold and silver, he brought the poor of the city, saying, =E2=80=9CBehold, these cho= ice pearls, these sparkling gems that adorn the temple, these sacred virgins, I mean, and these widows who refuse second marriage.... Behold then, all our riches." In response to his boldness, Cornelius ordered the scourging and torture of Saint Lawrence upon the rack. Saint Lawrence is remembered for his recognition of the true treasures of the Church--the Body of Christ alive in the world. Not limited by the literal, Lawrence used his opportunity to witness to the world the mission of the Church on earth, the communion of her members, and the importance and sanctity of every life to Christ. Through his acts, we are reminded of those who we might forget--the sick, indigent, crippled, lame--those on the fringes of society--and see them for what they are: the beloved of Christ. What have we done lately, in our own acts, to welcome them into our lives, our communities, our Church? Father, You called Saint Lawrence to serve you by love and crowned his life with glorious martyrdom. Help us to be like him in loving you and doing your work. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Bible Quote: Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer every one. Colossians 4:6 RSVCE <><><><> Hymn: Deus, tuorum militum O God, of those that fought Thy fight, Portion, and prize, and crown of light, Break every bond of sin and shame As now we praise Thy Martyr's name. He recked not of the world's allure, But sin and pomp of sin forswore: Knew all their gall, and passed them by, And reached the throne prepared on high. Bravely the course of pain he ran, And bare his torments as a man: For love of Thee his blood outpoured, And thus obtained the great reward. With humble voice and suppliant word We pray Thee therefore, holy Lord, While we thy Martyr's feast-day keep, Forgive Thy loved and erring sheep. All honor, laud, and glory be, O Jesu, Virgin-born, to Thee, All glory, as is ever meet, To Father and to Paraclete. Amen --- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2 * Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4) .