Treasuring that which is of enduring value
This doctor of the church like an earlier St. Lawrence regarded people as treasures.
In the 3rd century, when a deacon, St. Lawrence, was asked to present the treasures of the church he sold what had monetary value to aid the poor. He then presented the people to the Roman official.
Several centuries later, in considering a well-known story of the Pharisees questioning Jesus about paying tribute to Caesar, St. Lawrence of Brindisi remarked upon the worth of people.
“We have been created in the image and likeness of God (Gn 1,26). …. So you are the money in the divine treasure-chest, a coin bearing the image and inscription of the divine emperor. “
The essential likeness that we bear is manifest in our actions. What we do is who we are. If we desire to be like God, we adopt His values.
We can learn to imitate Jesus Him by reading about his life- to read the Bible as His biography.
“For the word of God is a light to the mind and a fire to the will. It enables man to know God and to love him.
St. Lawrence went on to say “For the soul it is a spiritual treasure of merits yielding an abundance of gold and precious stones.“
Jesus came to live among us to share in our humanity and so we have his example to follow.
“The Most High, the artisan of all things, performed all these works to manifest these treasures of his divinity. That work of God, however, must be considered preeminent in which all these attributes shine out most splendidly. These are much more resplendent and far more evident in the work of the incarnation than in the work of creation.“
St. Lawrence was a Capuchin Franciscan.
He wrote some homilies for the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi who loved God’s creation but especially Christ.
In one St. Lawrence said, “…[God] lavishes the grace by which he deifies men and makes them sharers of the divine nature.” And that "Saint Paul teaches there are two men in each person. One is the external...The other instead is interior, spiritual, immortal and incorruptible. Thus he said in 2 Cor 4:[16] 'what is internal is renewed from day to day.'"
St. Lawrence commended St. Francis for recognizing what is truly valuable.
" The man is perfect who abstains from every offense against God, his conscience and his neighbour....He desires for himself and treasures the good….”
What inspires you to imitate God?
Are there particular people, friends whose outlook and way of doing things influences you to be your best self?
How do you talk about what motivates you to do what you do?
What do you enjoy doing that enriches your life and the lives of others?
To read more about St. Lawrence of Brindisi please visit this page.
I hope you continue to be inspired by reading and praying to the saints.
Laura Ross
Faith Formation Commission Member
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