Daily Reflection – Aug 10, 2016
Wednesday 10 August 2016
First Reading:
2 Corinthinians 9:6-10
Responsorial Psalm:
Happy the merciful who give to those in need
Psalm 111(112):1-2, 5-9
Gospel Reading: John 12:24-26
Today’s Saint: St Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr (Feast)
Gospel Reading:
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:
God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:8)
Zucchini bread. Zucchini pizza. Chocolate zucchini cake.
One mistake common to many beginning gardeners is to underestimate the zucchini they plant. They don’t appreciate just how fruitful these seeds can be. Just one seed, for example, can produce up to nine pounds of food. So planting just a couple of seeds can quickly result in a zucchini avalanche that leaves a gardener scrambling for clever recipes.
Perhaps this idea of a few seeds yielding an overwhelmingly large harvest is an appropriate way to celebrate today’s feast of St. Lawrence. This third-century Roman deacon was known for his care for the poor and his courage and good humor in a time of intense persecution. According to tradition, when he was martyred by being roasted alive, he called out, “Turn me over; I’m done on this side.”
News of Lawrence’s courage and faith led many people in Rome to turn to the Lord despite the persecution. Even after his death, his miracles continued to prove that every good work that we sow in the name of the Lord reaps huge dividends. For example, St. Gregory of Tours tells the story of a large group of workers who ran out of food as they were rebuilding a church dedicated to St. Lawrence. When they prayed to their patron, the one loaf of bread that remained in their basket multiplied to feed all of the workers for ten days.
God’s abundant grace and mercy can lead us to reap so much more than we can sow. Every prayer of intercession, every act of kindness, every decision to forgive—they can all produce baskets of blessings for the people around us. So don’t shy away from the opportunities that will present themselves to you today. Remember St. Lawrence. Remember the miracles. Remember the zucchini! Then go ahead, and sow your seed.
“Lord, I believe that any seed of good I plant will be multiplied by your abundant grace. Give me the courage to continue to plant seeds and rejoice in your harvest.”
