Feast of Saint Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr, August 10, 2026

Gospel

John 12:24-26

Jesus said to his disciples:

“Amen, amen, I say to you,

unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies,

it remains just a grain of wheat;

but if it dies, it produces much fruit.

Whoever loves his life loses it,

and whoever hates his life in this world

will preserve it for eternal life.

Whoever serves me must follow me,

and where I am, there also will my servant be.

The Father will honor whoever serves me.”

Reflection

Today is the feast day of St. Lawrence, a Roman deacon who was martyred for his faith in 258. When the Roman prefect demanded that Lawrence hand over the treasures of the Church, Lawrence gathered the poor, sick, and disabled and presented them, declaring, “These are the true treasures of the Church.” He understood that the greatest treasures are not the things we possess in this life, but the people we love and serve, and the eternal life that awaits us. When Lawrence was sentenced to be roasted alive, he faced his suffering with remarkable courage and even humor, famously telling his executioners, “Turn me over; I’m done on this side!”.

This connects with today’s Gospel, where Jesus says, “Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit”. This line, while vividly reminding me of the classic church hymn written by Bernadette Farrell, also ties into St.Lawrence's life. St. Lawrence gave everything in service to Christ, trusting that his earthly suffering would lead to something far greater. His story reminds us that sometimes we must surrender what is temporary in order to receive what is eternal. The greatest gift and treasure will not be found in what we gain here on our earthly journey, but in the eternal life we receive at the end of it.