St. Laurence

Perhaps the reason the church's response to the tyranny of the government's lockdowns was that not enough time is spent remembering the courageous martyrs against a far more tyrannical government. Laurence was the chief deacon in Rome during the persecution under Valerian, and he was arrested by the wicked prefect who hoped both to gain for his own pockets the treasures of the church and for his hatred for Christendom a denial of Christ in the face of suffering. But on both these trials the wicked was confounded, because Laurence had quickly distributed the church's goods to the poor, and because he was then stalwartly faithful in his confession of faith to the very end, a torturous martyrdom on a gridiron. Laurence is remembered to this day as a shining jewel in the church's history, to encourage all of us. For the fire of love he felt within himself for his Lord who had redeemed him made the external fires seem cold by comparison. He was glad to suffer for his Lord who had first suffered crucifixion for our salvation. Sermon for St. Laurence Day. The video is here.