Feast of St. Lawrence, Deacon & Martyr
The power of the seed to spring into new life is fascinating. Just mention that to the farmer, the gardener, or anyone sensitive to the beginnings of new life. It opens up an attitude of wonder and personal humility in the presence of a mystery that defies full understanding.
Jesus uses the agricultural image of a seed being placed in its own burial ground as absolutely necessary for new life to take place. Any farmer or gardener knows that a seed must be covered up (respectfully, reverently?) so that the self-giving change can take place emerging from the very heart, or germ, of the seed.
Today’s feast of the Martyr St. Lawrence reminds us of the quote from the second-century apologist Tertullian: “The blood of the martyrs becomes the seed of Christianity.” In this new age of Christian martyrdom worldwide, each of us, through modern communication, can be painfully exposed to the suffering and blood of today’s martyrs. The flourishing of Christian faith may be directly related to how each of us can personally embrace suffering, ours as well as others, as our share in the suffering of Jesus Christ leads to new life.
At a time when the secular society turns a cynical eye on everything “religious,” this might be a pregnant moment. It’s a time when a living, abundant life of compassion and hope for all, is the fruit of a Christian understanding of suffering. What a shock that would be!
Reflection by Fr. Daniel Petsche, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections