St. Lawrence (10 August): They Could Torture Him, But Could Not Steal His Joy

About this sermon

What can the life and martyrdom of St. Lawrence teach Catholics facing suffering, persecution, ridicule, and uncertainty today? St. Lawrence was one of the seven deacons of Rome and a faithful servant of Pope St. Sixtus II. Entrusted with the goods of the Church and the care of the poor, Lawrence demonstrated extraordinary charity, courage, and fidelity to Jesus Christ. When Roman authorities demanded that he surrender the treasures of the Church, St. Lawrence gathered the poor and suffering whom the Church cared for and presented them as her true treasures. His courageous response enraged the authorities. Lawrence would eventually endure a brutal martyrdom, yet according to the traditional account of his passion, even terrible suffering could not destroy his supernatural joy. His famous humor while suffering upon the gridiron has become one of the most memorable stories of the early Christian martyrs. But behind the humor lies a profound spiritual lesson. The persecutors could injure St. Lawrence's body, but they could not take away his faith, hope, charity, or joy in Jesus Christ. Catholics today may face trials both within and outside the Church. There can be a temptation to discouragement, anger, fear, and constant negativity. St. Lawrence reminds us that Christian hope is stronger than persecution. When we remain united to Christ, suffering does not have the final word. We can mourn sin and the difficulties facing the Church while never forgetting that Jesus Christ has already won the victory. Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Cause of Our Joy, and St. Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr, may we receive the grace to remain faithful to Christ through every trial—and ultimately approach eternity with the joy of the saints. St. Lawrence, pray for us. May the Holy Names of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph be blessed now and forever. 00:00 — Opening Prayer 00:31 — God Loves a Cheerful Giver 01:02 — St. Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr 01:42 — St. Lawrence and the Ancient Roman Church 02:05 — Disciple of Pope St. Sixtus II 02:29 — Lawrence Becomes Archdeacon of Rome 02:45 — Serving at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass 02:55 — Caring for the Poor and Church Property 03:02 — Persecution Under Emperor Valerian 03:17 — Lawrence Desires to Follow Sixtus to Martyrdom 03:33 — “Father, Where Are You Going Without Your Son?” 04:21 — A Glorious Martyrdom Awaits Lawrence 04:46 — The Church's Goods Are Given to the Poor 05:03 — Rome Demands the Treasures of the Church 05:36 — Lawrence Gathers the Poor and Sick 05:43 — “Here Are the Treasures of the Church” 06:14 — The Prefect's Fury 06:22 — The Torture of St. Lawrence 06:31 — Lawrence Prays to Jesus Christ 06:46 — The Conversion of the Roman Soldier 07:09 — Lawrence Before the Judge 07:35 — St. Lawrence on the Gridiron 07:57 — Lawrence's Final Prayer 08:22 — What St. Lawrence's Martyrdom Teaches Us 08:37 — Humor in the Face of Persecution 08:53 — Courage Before Roman Authority 09:17 — Lessons for Catholics Today 09:41 — Christ Is With Us in Times of Trial 09:55 — No Persecution Can Steal Christian Hope 10:20 — Sorrow for the Church Without Losing Joy 10:36 — Asking God for Perfect Joy 10:43 — Mary, Cause of Our Joy & St. Lawrence 10:58 — Preparing for Eternity 11:07 — Closing Prayer 11:15 — Support Sensus Fidelium For more please visit https://www.themarianfranciscans.org/ Please sign up at this link https://lifecrusade.org/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 #StLawrence #SaintLawrence #Catholic #CatholicChurch #CatholicFaith #CatholicSaints #Saints #CatholicSermon #CatholicHomily #TraditionalCatholic #CatholicTradition #Catholicism #JesusChrist #ChristianPersecution #ChristianMartyrs #Martyrs #EarlyChurch #RomanMartyrs #PopeSixtusII #BlessedVirginMary #CatholicSpirituality #CatholicTeaching #CatholicLife #SensusFidelium #PrayForUs

Topics

• Joy