St. Lawrence is a Roman Deacon. He is probably the most famous Roman martyr. As a deacon, he devoted most of his time in humble service to the poor. In 258 he was roasted to death on a gridiron. The canonization and the popular devotion to St. Lawrence is a prove that anybody, including the deacons can become a saint.
As we celebrate St. Lawrence, I want to use this medium to remind my fellow deacons that we are all called to serve. Deaconate ordination is not just a step to priesthood as many wrongly understands it today. It is among the three state of life that make of the clergy (others are Priests and Bishops).
The role of a deacon was clearly defined in Acts 6:1-7). They were men of good repute, full of the Holy Spirit and Wisdom. They were to help in the daily distribution of food to widows and orphans.
As we celebrate the feast of St. Lawrence the following questions comes to mind:
1). Is the Church still taking care of Widows and Orphans?
2). Do we have deacons like St. Lawrence in our world today?
3). Who are those taking care of widows and orphans in the Church today?
4). Are the deacons only meant to serve the Bishops and Priests or Widows and Orphans?
5). Do we have deacons who are ready to devote their lives in the humble service of widows and orphans?
Whatever be the case, as St. James rightly declares, "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit the orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world" (James 1:27)
St. Lawrence - Pray for us!
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