St.Lawrence, Deacon & Martyr

Friends in Christ,

The Church commends this day to us as the blessed Lawrence day of triumph, on which he troddown the world as it roared and rages against him: spurned it as it coaxed and wheedled him:and in each case, conquered the devil as he persecuted him. For in that Church, you see as you have regularly been told, he performed the office of a Deacon: it was there that he administered the sacred chalice of Christ's blood: there that he shed his own blood for the name of Jesus Christ. Blessed Saint John the Apostle clearly explained the mystery of the Lord's supper when he said just as Christ laid down his life for us, so we too ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.St.Lawrence understood this, and he did it: and he undoubtedly prepared things similar to what he received at that table. He loved Christ in his life, he imitated Him in his death.

So let us understand how Christians ought to follow Christ, short of the shedding of blood, short of the danger of suffering death. Blessed Saint John says, speaking of the Jesus Christ, Who, though He was in the for of God did not think it robbery to be equal to God. What incomparable greatness!! But He emptied Himself taking the form of a servant, and being made in the likeness of men, and found in condition as a man. What unequalled humility.

Christ humbled Himself: Here we have something to latch onto. Christ became obedient. Why do you behave proudly? After running the course of these humiliations and laing death low, Christ ascended into Heaven: let us follow Him there. Let us listen Blessed Saint John telling us, if you have with Christ, savor the things that are above is, seated at God's right hand.

Thanks be to God.

Ed Bakker

Postulant

TAC New Zealand