Today’s Readings – Saint Laurence, Deacon and Martyr

Very little historical facts are known of Laurence, but his existence and martyrdom in the year 258 are recorded in the very ancient Depositio Martyrum. Early legends say Laurence, born about 225, was from Huesca in Tarragon, Spain, and that he received religious instruction from Archdeacon Sixtus in Rome. When Sixtus became Bishop of Rome and Pope in 257, Laurence was ordained a deacon and placed in charge of administering church goods and care of the poor. As an archivist and treasurer, he was later made patron of librarians.

Pope Sixtus II was martyred a few days before Laurence during the persecution of the Emperor Valerian. As a deacon, Laurence was known for his generosity and care for the poor. However, other details, including the famous roasting on the gridiron, are not deemed … Continue

Yesterday’s Readings – Sunday of Week 19 of Ordinary Time (Year A)

Commentary on 1 Kings 19:9, 11-13; Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 14:22-33

Today in the Gospel, we have a continuation of last week’s story about the feeding of thousands of people by Jesus in the desert. Immediately after the event, we are told that Jesus:

...made the disciples get int … Continue