Unless a little grain falls and dies
St Lawrence
Lawrence was one of the seven deacons of the Church of Rome and was executed on 10th August 258, four days after Sixtus II and his companions. By now, few of the facts of his life are known for certain: he was probably a Spaniard from Toledo.
A basilica was built over Laurence’s tomb fifty years after his death, by the Emperor Constantine, and the anniversary of his martyrdom was kept as a solemn feast – with considerably more solemnity than that of Pope Sixtus II (we do not know why). By the sixth century, it was one of the most important feasts throughout much of western Christendom. His name occurs (with Sixtus’s) in the Roman Canon of the Mass.
1 Reading 2 Corinthians 9:6-10
God loves a cheerful giver
Do not forget: thin sowing means thin reaping; the more you sow, the more you reap. Each one should give what he has decided in his own mind, not grudgingly or because he is made to, for God loves a cheerful giver. And there is no limit to the blessings which God can send you – he will make sure that you will always have all you need for yourselves in every possible circumstance, and still have something to spare for all sorts of good works. As scripture says: He was free in almsgiving, and gave to the poor: his good deeds will never be forgotten.
The one who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide you with all the seed you want and make the harvest of your good deeds a larger one.
Responsorial Psalm 111(112):1-2,5-9
R. Happy the man who takes pity and lends.
Happy the man who fears the Lord,
who takes delight in all his commands.
His sons will be powerful on earth;
the children of the upright are blessed.
R. Happy the man who takes pity and lends.
The good man takes pity and lends,
he conducts his affairs with honour.
The just man will never waver:
he will be remembered for ever.
R. Happy the man who takes pity and lends.
He has no fear of evil news;
with a firm heart he trusts in the Lord.
With a steadfast heart he will not fear;
he will see the downfall of his foes.
R. Happy the man who takes pity and lends.
Open-handed, he gives to the poor;
his justice stands firm for ever.
His head will be raised in glory.
R. Happy the man who takes pity and lends
Gospel Acclamation John 8:12 bc
Alleluia, alleluia!
I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
anyone who follows me will have the light of life.
Alleluia!
Gospel John 12:24-26
If a grain of wheat falls on the ground and dies, it yields a rich harvest
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘I tell you, most solemnly,
unless a wheat grain falls on the ground and dies,
it remains only a single grain;
but if it dies,
it yields a rich harvest.
Anyone who loves his life loses it;
anyone who hates his life in this world
will keep it for the eternal life.
If a man serves me, he must follow me,
wherever I am, my servant will be there too.
If anyone serves me, my Father will honour him.’
Commentary
“Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat” (v.24).
Despite the many “signs” that Jesus performed, there were still those who refused to believe in him. Jesus’ dying and rising would be the final sign that pointed to the saving mission of God at work in him. Jesus told his followers that the way to everlasting life was paradoxically through death. He wanted them to know that salvation would not be earned by extraordinary deeds, but through a willingness to sacrifice everything, even one’s own life for the sake of God’s kingdom. Jesus used an illustration found in nature. A grain of wheat appeared lifeless when planted in the ground, but it would spring to life and bear fruit. Paul said “whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (2 Cor 9:6). Jesus’ followers would be fruitful when they imitated his example of self-giving.
TO LOVE: Am I willing to sacrifice personal attachments in order to serve Jesus?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, I pray that my life will bear good fruit so that I might share eternal life with you.
Prayers
Lord God,
you inspired Saint Laurence with so ardent a love
that his life was renowned for the service of your people
and his death for the splendour of his martyrdom.
Help us to love what he loved
and to live as he showed us.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
May the Lord bless you!