It is 10th August 2017. We celebrate the Feast of St Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr. Pope Sixtus II, when he was on his missionary journey to Spain met this young, energetic and exemplary man and brought him to Rome. Later, the Pope ordained St Lawrence as a deacon, and called him “archdeacon of Rome”, a responsibility included the care of the treasury and riches of the church and the distribution of alms among the poor. He rightly praised that the property of the church is the poor. He is one among the many to be praised for mingling intelligence and the heart for the poor. May his simplicity, holiness and love for the church imbibe us. He is the patron saint of the cheerful givers. The readings are 2 Corinthians 9:6-10; and the Gospel from John 12:24-26. St. Paul invites us to have a merciful heart towards the poor. Charity is the fruit of the deep faith we have in the Lord. it is the faith we have in the Lord and attempting to live sinless daily widens the space for the poor in our hearts. Charity is murdered, sacrificed and buried when we live continuously in grave sins. God multiplies all our blessings when we are generous in giving especially to the poor and the needy. “The one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness.” (2 Cor.9:10). The responsorial Psalm acclaims, “Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.” (Ps.112:5). The Gospel reminds us the purpose of our being is to live for the other and willing to die for the others to benefit. St. Lawrence is the example to us. The virtue he left us is to live our Christian life for the other resonates in the life of the church. May we become a generous in giving all that God has entrusted to us. Let our faith be justified by our charitable and merciful acts we perform in the name of Lord Jesus.