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Saint Lawrence of Brindisi is the Apostolic Doctor and the doctor of conversions and missions. He said that the Savior would have become man even if the first man, Adam, had not sinned. No other doctor stated more clearly how much God desires to share love with us with these profound words. From this comment, we understand that God is a Lover first and afterwards a Savior. It is primarily through his love in the person of Jesus Christ as Savior that we know how to be saved.

Jesus' coming reveals why we need to continue his mission with him and have a mission or purpose for others. Conversion and sanctification can be a life-long process acted out daily.

Lawrence was quickly elected to the highest office with the Capuchins. He was also appointed Papal Emissary and peacemaker. He traveled to foreign countries to settle royal quarrels, acted as a Diplomat and worked for pacification and healing among nations. His ability to speak eight languages empowered him to evangelize and teach about God's love and how we are to be saved.

Everywhere he completed a mission there were miracles and conversions. His words and example were always inspiring, simple yet profound. He was a person of enormous influence and his writings probably exceeded all the doctors. His love and expression about St Mary revealed her efficacious role as the Redeemer's Mother and Savior.

St Lawrence, 1559-1619. Doctor of Conversions and Missions, Feast Day July 21st.

The Word Among Us

Meditation: Luke 10:38-42

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Mary has chosen the better part.” (Luke 10:42)

A rip current is a strong channel of water that flows out to sea and can drag swimmers away from the shore with alarming speed and strength. But you don’t have to swim in the ocean to feel that kind of pull. Ideas, obligations, and desires tug powerfully at us every day. And the only way to avoid disaster is to swim out of their current—to do what Mary did and take time to sit in God’s presence.

Sit with him and let him speak to you: about your life, about his life in you, about his love for you. Open your heart to him without fear of what will follow. Whatever your shortcomings, failings and weaknesses, he loves, loves, loves you! He delights in giving himself to everyone who is ready to receive it. You can sit, as Mary did, unashamed and truthful about your life, and soak up the Father’s love for you. This is the better part!

This story of Martha and Mary shows us that experiencing God’s love is the most healing, empowering, inspiring thing we can do. Better than any good work, and more desirable to the Lord, is the flow of love and affection, of knowing and being known, between him and you. Yes, he sees your deepest sins, but he looks deeper still. He knows your desires for holiness, purity, and innocence. He knows the “real you” that longs to please him, to help people, and to build his kingdom. He knows the “you” that is willing to swim out of the current of anything that pulls you away from him.

Nothing is more motivating, encouraging, or inspiring than tasting God’s love. This is no passive acceptance of sin and weakness. Knowing the Father’s love, and being intimately known by him, can move you to part with sin and to overcome failure. It can build strength where you are weak. Knowing his love can release his life in you more fully and allow you to become exactly the person he created you to be.

“Here I am, Father! Teach me about your life and your love for me.”

Genesis 18:1-10; Psalm 15:2-5; Colossians 1:24-28

Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion

1. In the first reading, the Lord appears to Abraham as three men. Abraham goes out of his way to be hospitable to these strangers, and is rewarded with a promise that Sarah, though barren, will bear a son. The book of Hebrews 13:1-2 has this to say about being hospitable to one another: “Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.” How would you rate your own hospitality? What steps can you take to improve it?

2. The responsorial psalm says that, “He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord” and “shall never be disturbed.” What are some of the attributes listed in this psalm of a just and blameless person? How can you better incorporate some of these attributes in your own life?

3. In the letter to the Colossians, the Apostle Paul says that the great mystery of God, “hidden from ages and from generations past” has been revealed to us and is this: “Christ in you, the hope for glory” (Colossians 1:27). What is your understanding of this “mystery?”

4. In the Gospel reading, we hear of the familiar story of Martha and Mary. Mary sat at Jesus feet, listening to him, while Martha anxiously waited on him. Why do you think Jesus said that “Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her” (Luke 10:42)? What about you? Are you always choosing the “better part” when it comes to your relationship to Jesus? Why or why not?

5. The meditation ends with these words: “Knowing the Father’s love, and being intimately known by him, can move you to part with sin and to overcome failure. It can build strength where you are weak. Knowing his love can release his life in you more fully and allow you to become exactly the person he created you to be.” Do you think it is important that the power to live out our Christian walk and to serve the Lord should flow from our experience of God’s great love for us? Why or why not? What steps can you take to open yourself more to receiving this great love?

6. Take some time now to pray and ask for a deeper experience of God’s love for you and for a greater desire to serve him out of your love for him. Use the prayer at the end of the meditation as a starting point.