Word to the Wise
Friday, August 10, 2012 - Aug. 10 - St. Lawrence, deacon and martyr
[2 Cor 9:6-10 and John 12:24-26]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.
The occasion of the feast of St. Lawrence, deacon and martyr, could give rise to considerable material to think about! The "diaconate" in the church today is only about 50 years old, having been "restored" by the Second Vatican Council. I give many retreats for "Permanent Deacons" (and spouses) and I am aware that this role in the church is a work in progress. There are theological and practical issues that continue to arise, even as many folks in the pews have come to accept the presence of deacons as part of the "sacramental landscape." The theological issues deal mostly with the relationship of the deacon to the local bishop and to the priests of the diocese. The practical issues include the fact that most deacons do not receive any compensation for their service, and yet are considered to be "clergy of the diocese!" The regulation that deacons are not permitted to remarry if their spouse should die is a further important concern! There is much more to be thought and said about all of this. Suffice it to say that the deacons I meet see themselves as undergoing the transformation of the grain of wheat!
Martyrdom itself has undergone considerable transformation in Christian thought since the days of the early church. The 2nd century church "father" Tertullian made a famous statement: "The blood of martyrs is the seed of the church!" which implied that the martyrs provided inspiration to others to become Christians. In our modern speech, to be a Christian in those times would be to "live dangerously." There is evidence that early Christians generally believed that persecution was part of being Christian. A broad transformation occurred when Constantine made Christianity a legal religion. Then some Christians sought what was considiered "white martyrdom" by renouncing the "world" and going into the desert. The traditional "red martyrdom" of Stephen, James and Lawrence became the exception rather than the rule. In our own times, the church does not encourage people to seek martyrdom even though it is still common enough in some lands where sectarian violence is a constant fear. The very idea of martyrdom implies violence, which gives rise to mixed feelings about its role in Christian thought and life.
St. Lawrence opens some big cans of theological worms! He was noted for his sense of humor, so he probably would enjoy these theological/pastoral concerns. Legend has it that as he was being burned on a grill, he told his persecutors to turn him over because he was done on one side!!!! If nothing else, that idea should give us cause to think twice about martyrdom! AMEN