Monday, August 10, 2015

St. Lawrence, Deacon & Martyr: "You can turn me over, I'm done on this side."

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Today, the Church celebrates the life and ministry of an early deacon and martyr, St. Lawrence (Laurence), who was born in 225 in Spain and died on this day in Rome in 258.
 
Lawrence was one of seven deacons who were in charge of giving help to the poor and the needy in Rome. Emperor Valerian began a persecution aimed generally at the clergy and well to do Christians.  The bishop, Sixtus, was caught up in it and he was condemned to death.
 
The Roman prefect, knowing that Lawrence was the chief financial officer, promised that he would set Lawrence free if Lawrence would turn over all of the Church’s wealth which was being used to support the poor, the elderly and the sick. Lawrence agreed, but said that it would take him three days to get it all together. Lawrence placed all the money into the hands of trustworthy stewards, and then Lawrence then gathered the sick, the elderly, the poor, the widows and orphans of the congregation, and presented them to the prefect, saying: “These are the treasures of the Church.”  Less than amused, the prefect condemned Lawrence to death.   Lawrence was tied on top of an iron grill over a slow fire that roasted his flesh. As he was being roasted alive, Lawrence told his executioner, “turn me over, I'm done on this side!” 
 
One of the things that Lawrence teaches us it that those who cannot speak for themselves, those who do not have enough to live on, those who are defenseless, the elderly, the orphans, these are indeed the treasures of the Church, and our Christian faith calls us to be in solidarity with these treasures.
 
Let us pray:  Almighty God, by whose grace and power your servant Laurence triumphed over suffering and despised death: Grant, we pray, that we, steadfast in service to the poor and outcast, may share with him in the joys of your everlasting kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
 
CALENDAR REMINDERS
 
Please remember St. Vincent’s House.  They are in need of canned chicken, tuna, ham and other such sources of protein.  Just drop it off at our St. Vincent’s box in the narthex.
 
Seaside Seniors will meet Thursday, 20 August at 11 AM in Sutton Hall.
 
Blessing of the Backpacks, Sunday, 23 August at the 9 AM Eucharist.
 
St. Augustine’s Feast Day and Baptism on Sunday, 30 August at the 9 AM Eucharist with pot luck lunch to follow.
 
“In the Name of God” Joint Blood Drive hosted by St. Augustine, the Islamic Center (Dr. Ahmed) and Congregation B’nai Israel (Rabbi Marshal Klaven) on Friday, 4 September 2015 at 921 Broadway, Galveston from 11 AM to 4 PM to benefit the blood center at UTMB.  Please spread the word!
 
Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially those who are ill and those who are in the process of recovering, those who are travelling, and those who are alone.
 
Your servant in Christ,
 
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550

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