St Lawrence: Beloved, Cheerful Giver – Aug 10 – Homily – Fr Matthias

 

Fr Matthias gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Aug 10, 2023, on the life of St Lawrence the deacon who gave his life even cheerfully in his martyrdom.

St. Lawrence, the deacon, faced martyrdom on August 10th, 258, with courage and cheerfulness, choosing to profess his faith in Christ rather than deny it. This act of sacrifice was not without pain, but his will was strong. St. Paul's words resonate with this: "God loves a cheerful giver" [2 Corinthians 9:7 - Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2corinthians/9?7].

St. Augustine, St. John Chrysostom, and St. Gregory the Great provide insights into this truth. St. Augustine warns against giving grudgingly, as it results in a twofold loss. In contrast, St. John Chrysostom speaks of the twofold reward for giving cheerfully. St. Gregory emphasizes that alms should be given with a joyful heart, mirroring God's own cheerful giving.

God's generosity is evident in the vastness of the universe. He doesn't take but bestows, and when He asks for sacrifice, it's in exchange for something greater. Our sacrifices and mortifications should be made joyfully, aiming to draw closer to God, the source of all joy.

Our Lady exemplified this cheerful giving during the Annunciation, consenting to God's plan and receiving a double reward as both Virgin and Mother. St. Lawrence, too, gave cheerfully, embodying the essence of a cheerful giver.

00:00 - Introduction
00:18 - St. Lawrence's Martyrdom
01:04 - Accepted Death Generously
01:26 - God Loves a Cheerful Giver
02:36 - Giving Alms Cheerfully
03:20 - God Gives Abundantly
04:13 - Performing Sacrifices Joyfully
04:40 - Our Lady's Example at the Annunciation
05:24 - St. Lawrence as an Example

Ave Maria!

Mass: St. Lawrence - Feast - http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=366
Readings:  - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/081023.cfm
1st: 2co 9:6-10
Resp: psa 112:1-2, 5-9
Gsp: joh 12:24-26

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1130

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