If Saint Lawrence had not been executed during the third century after the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, then history may not even remember him. Tradition teaches us that Lawrence was born and raised in Spain. As a young adult, he was befriended by a wandering preacher and philosopher. Converted by the good news of Christ, Lawrence accompanied the philosopher and his companions to Rome. Seven years later, this philosopher became Pope Sixtus II. The new pope ordained his friend one of the Seven Archdeacons of Rome, which were positions of great trust and responsibility.
Beyond these few facts, we know nothing more about Lawrence’s life until his death. In August 258, Emperor Valerian ordered the arrest and execution of all priests, deacons, and bishops. Pope Sixtus was murdered while celebrating the Holy Mass. Soon after, Valerian ordered Lawrence to catalog the church’s wealth and surrender it to the imperial treasury. Lawrence, however, had another plan. He gave all of the church’s property to the poor, the sick, and the homeless. On the appointed day, Lawrence appeared before the emperor with nothing more than the church’s true riches: its good and faithful people.
Daniel Berrigan once said: “When they come for the innocent without crossing over your body, cursed be your religion and your life.” Lawrence put this hard maxim into practice. As punishment for his resistance to the emperor’s corruption and oppression, he was tortured with fire until death. Since then, Saint Lawrence has been among the most popular saints. He is not remembered for miracles or theological writings. He is remembered for his courage, love for the poor, and defense of the persecuted. Saint Lawrence sacrificed everything for faith, for God’s family, and for the promise of eternal life. He died in defiance of tyranny. He died showing compassion for God’s little ones.
Reflecting on the life and martyrdom of Saint Lawrence, Saint Augustine said: “The garden of the Lord includes not only the roses of martyrs, but also the lilies of virgins, the ivy of married people, and the violets of widows. There are no human beings, beloved friends, who should despair of their vocation in life.” Indeed, everyone has a job in the Lord’s vineyard. Everyone has a place in the community of believers. Everyone is called to do some unique good in the world. Some are called to ministry. Some are called to married life. Some are called to the single life. Some, like me, are called to prayer, silence, and solitude. And whatever our life’s work, all of us are called to love God and love our neighbor without counting costs.
According to Augustine, to fulfill our vocation is to follow God with heart and soul and every fiber of our being. It takes humility, an openness to God’s plan, and perhaps even a willingness to suffer for the sake of others. Unlike Saint Lawrence, we may not be called to martyrdom. We may not be remembered as saints. We may not be remembered at all. But in the end, by God’s mercy, we can embrace our life’s mission, stay the course, and ultimately join the choir of saints and angels in heaven. So with Saint Lawrence, we cry out with confidence: “I worship God! I serve God alone! I am not afraid!”
Brother Patrick Garvey is a diocesan hermit and associate minister in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport. He can be reached at brpatrick@ccgronline.com. His free podcasts are available at assisiproject.com.
Midweek Musings rotates among Cape Ann clergy.