Saint Lawrence deacon

Today the Church celebrates the feast of Saint Lawrence, deacon and martyr, who was executed on August 10, 258.

Lawrence was one of the seven deacons of the city of Rome, entrusted with care of the goods of the church and serving the poor. He was not killed with his bishop, Pope Sixtus II, and the other six deacons, on August 6.

According to the tradition, he was called to bring the treasures of the church to the prefect of Rome. He sold the goods of the church and gave them to the poor, the widows, and the sick. Then he showed up with these outcasts before the prefect and proclaimed: “These are the treasures of the church.”

The prefect was not pleased and proceeded to have Lawrence killed.

What does this tell us deacons?

Where do we seek our treasure? Do we assist those at the margins of society? Are we identified with them? Do we know their names? Would we know where to find them if we were called upon to present the treasures of the church to the authorities?

The diaconate is not limited to the altar, to an exclusive sacramental ministry. We have a role in the liturgy, but we do not stay there. We are called to be signs of the Good News of Jesus to the world in our daily lives and to assist those who are neglected or despised by the powerful.

We bring the needs of the People of God to the altar and we go forth from the altar with Good News, bringing hope to the corners of the world where we love and work and assist those in need.

In this way, we can be servants of God, promoting the Baptismal call of all the People of God to be signs of the Reign of God in the world. We do not do this alone; God works with us through and with all the People of God.

We serve in the Church, with the Church, and through the Church – for the world.

print by Ade Bethune