Today we celebrate the feast of St. Lawrence. St. Lawrence was a deacon and a martyr. Our prayers go out today and every day to all the faithful deacons of the Church, through the intercession of St. Lawrence. Thank you, deacons, for your service to God’s people! The first reading today is from 2 Corinthians 9…”for God loves a cheerful giver.” Certainly the deacons that I know are an embodiment of this Scripture.
The Gospel reading today is from John 12. Jesus says, “Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me.” Jesus spoke again and again about the importance of being a servant. In fact, He reminds us that He came not to be served, but to serve. We are called to imitate Jesus.
Unfortunately, the world sends a different message. Being self-serving is the way of the world. Gotta look out for #1! Let somebody else look after the poor. But the world has got this one dead wrong. (Surprise!) In fact, true happiness can only be found in a life of service. Because true love is not self-serving. True love and happiness come when we give OF ourselves, not TO ourselves.
Father, we thank you for the example of St. Lawrence. Bless all of our deacons, and give us a heart of service for your people. Amen.
Yes, and blessings to our deacons’ wives as well. Every deacon I know is quick to point out that they could never fulfill their ministry without the (often unnoticed and unrecognized) support of their wives.