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Producing Much Fruit
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.” John 12:24–26
Saint Lawrence, whom we honor today, has been highly revered by the
Church since the time of his martyrdom in the mid-third century, at
around the age of thirty-three—the same age at which our Lord laid
down His life. Lawrence is believed to have been one of the seven
deacons of Rome, likely serving as archdeacon. He was entrusted
with the distribution of the Church’s goods to the poor and is said
to have shared a close friendship with Pope Sixtus II.
When Emperor Valerian began persecuting the Church in 257, he
issued an edict ordering the execution of bishops, priests, and
deacons. On August 6, 258, Pope Sixtus and several deacons were
martyred. According to Saint Ambrose, Lawrence rejoiced over their
heroic deaths and grieved because he had not died alongside his
spiritual father.
Soon afterward, Lawrence was arrested and commanded to surrender
the Church’s treasures. Instead, he distributed the goods to the
poor and, when brought before the prefect, presented the poor
themselves as the true treasures of the Church. Enraged by this
bold act, the prefect sentenced Lawrence to death by roasting on a
gridiron. Tradition holds that Lawrence, with holy defiance,
declared as he burned, “The flesh is roasted, turn it and
eat.”
Saint Lawrence, like all martyrs, accomplished more for the Church
in death than he could have in life. He embodies Jesus’ solemn
words in today’s Gospel: “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.” It may be said that every martyr dies
twice: first, through the total surrender of self in loving service
and detachment from the world; and second, through physical
martyrdom. To “hate” one’s life in this world means to live with
total abandonment to God’s will, free from self-centered pursuits.
Living in this way prepared Lawrence for his final sacrifice.
The Church honors those who embraced physical martyrdom because
they become living icons of Christ’s sacrificial love. They are
visible expressions of the Gospel, and their witness bears
tremendous spiritual fruit.
Consider, for example, what might have happened had Lawrence fled
persecution to preserve his life. Those who loved him may have
understood and even encouraged such a choice. He could have
continued serving the poor and died in obscurity. But he did not.
Today, we remember him not simply because of his courage, but
because God chose to make him an enduring icon of the Gospel for
generations. Just as Christ’s brutal death became the greatest act
of love in history, so too does Lawrence’s participation in that
love perpetuate Christ’s sacrifice—one in which we, too, are called
to share.
Reflect today on the example of Saint Lawrence and the deep meaning
of Jesus’ words. Are you also willing to become that grain of
wheat, falling to the ground, dying to self, and bearing fruit for
the Kingdom of God? What attachments, fears, or self-centered
desires do you still cling to that deter you from the spiritual
witness of martyrdom? God is calling us to a deeper detachment from
this world so that we may live more fully for Him. Though physical
martyrdom may not be asked of you, the spiritual martyrdom of daily
self-giving is a path all are called to walk. Imitate Saint
Lawrence by embracing that path with courage, joy, and total trust
in God’s providence, so that your life, too, may produce much fruit
for eternity.
My sacrificial Lord, You filled Saint Lawrence with such fervent
love that he counted death as gain, trusting in the abundant fruit
his martyrdom would yield. Grant me that same courage and willing
spirit, that I may die to self each day and live only for You. May
my life bear rich and lasting fruit for the coming of Your Kingdom.
Jesus, I trust in You.
Image: Saint Lawrence of Rome, by Alessandro Agolanti
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