Today, on the Feast of St. Lawrence, a deacon who was martyred in Rome in 258AD, we hear “unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains a single grain; but if it dies, it yields a rich harvest”. According to St. Ambrose, when the prefect of Rome ordered Lawrence to surrender the riches of the Church, Lawrence immediately distributed the Church’s wealth to the destitute and the sick in the city. Later, he brought along and presented the poor, crippled, blind and suffering to the Perfect, and declared that these were the true treasures of the Church.

Lawrence’s action and his ultimate act of self-giving through his martyrdom provides the perfect setting to reflect on today’s readings. Jesus teaches that it is only by His death on the cross that “many” will receive the new life promised by the Father. By His death, Jesus gives life. Similarly, it is only by “hating” ourselves that we can give of ourselves freely to others. This is done by self-giving - in following and serving Christ.

To the Corinthians, Paul reminds them that those who are generous in blessing others will themselves be blessed. In other words, giving to others is in itself its own reward. Since God’s blessing is unlimited, Christians are not to hoard what He has given to them. When we bless others, we reflect God’s goodness and serve as His stewards.