Reading 1 2 Cor 9:6-10
Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly,
and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion,
for God loves a cheerful giver.
Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you,
so that in all things, always having all you need,
you may have an abundance for every good work.
As it is written:
He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.
The one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food
will supply and multiply your seed
and increase the harvest of your righteousness.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 112:1-2, 5-6, 7-8, 9
Blessed the man who fears the LORD,
who greatly delights in his commands.
His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth;
the upright generation shall be blessed.
R. Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.
Well for the man who is gracious and lends,
who conducts his affairs with justice;
He shall never be moved;
the just one shall be in everlasting remembrance.
R. Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.
An evil report he shall not fear;
his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.
His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear
till he looks down upon his foes.
R. Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.
Lavishly he gives to the poor,
his generosity shall endure forever;
his horn shall be exalted in glory.
R. Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.
Alleluia Jn 8:12bc
Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness
but will have the light of life, says the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Jn 12:24-26
Jesus said to his disciples:“Amen, amen, I say to you,
unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies,
it remains just a grain of wheat;
but if it dies, it produces much fruit.
Whoever loves his life loses it,
and whoever hates his life in this world
will preserve it for eternal life.
Whoever serves me must follow me,
and where I am, there also will my servant be.
The Father will honor whoever serves me.”
CONSUMER OR CONSUMED?
"The man who loves his life loses it." –John 12:25
St. Lawrence is the patron of bountiful giving. It is said that he gave the Church's treasures to the poor. Lawrence sowed bountifully and cheerfully. Now he reaps the bountiful harvest of transformed lives even centuries after his death (see 2 Cor 9:6). Lawrence not only gave possessions to the Lord; he gave his life for Him by cheerfully suffering martyrdom by fire. He was like a grain of wheat which falls to the earth, dies, and produces much fruit (Jn 12:24).
Lawrence's life and death show that God wants not only all our money and possessions, but also all our time, energy, relationships, work, lives, and deaths. The Lord commands us to love Him with all our hearts in the most radical way (Mt 22:37).
"Our God is a consuming Fire" (Heb 12:29). We are accustomed to being consumers ourselves. However, when we give our lives to the Lord, we are no longer primarily the consumers but the consumed. We feel like resisting this but, whether or not we want it, we will be consumed by something – work, compulsive behavior, TV, sports, food, cigarettes, anger, jealousy, etc. If we let God consume us, then we will not be degraded, but loved. Therefore, give, and give in to God's consuming love.
| PRAYER: | Father, use me and use me up. |
| PROMISE: | "He will multiply the seed you sow and increase your generous yield." –2 Cor 9:10 |
| PRAISE: | When the Prefect of Rome demanded the Church's treasures, St. Lawrence gathered together the poor and sick whom the Church had helped and said, "This is the Church's treasure!" |
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