St. Laurence, Deacon and Martyr

“Christ humbled himself: you have something, Christian, to latch on to. ‘Christ became obedient.’ Why do you behave proudly? After running the course of these humiliations and laying death low, Christ ascended into heaven: let us follow him there. Let us listen to the Apostle telling us, ‘If you have risen with Christ, savour the things that are above us, seated at God’s right hand.'” ~St. Augustine, from a sermon preached on the feast of St. Laurence

Lord God, you inspired Saint Laurence with so ardent a love that his life was renowned for the service of your people and his death for the splendour of his martyrdom. Help us to love what he loved and to live as he showed us. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen