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Saturday, August 10, 2013

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St. Lawrence


2 Corinthians 9:6-10
Psalm 112:1-2, 5-9
John 12:24-26

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give up fear; give in faith

"An evil report he shall not fear; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord." —Psalm 112:7

The stock market is often reactionary. Many who invest in stocks fear evil reports (see Ps 112:7). It is not unusual to see financial measures such as the Dow Jones index drop dramatically because investors and stock analysts fear that the market will plunge in response to the bad news. The health of a given stock is based on investor confidence. An "evil report" about a certain company can cause the value of its stock to plummet overnight.

God's economy, however, does not operate on fear. "Fear is useless. What is needed is trust" (Mk 5:36). Like St. Lawrence, we are called to trust God with such confidence that we will lay down our lives, and our finances, for Him unreservedly. Instead of focusing on receiving financial returns, as happens in the worldly economy, the people of God are called to focus on giving and sowing. We focus on giving generously; God focuses on multiplying what was given generously (see 2 Cor 9:8, 10). What is important is not the return we get, but rather the return God and His people get.

Don't give in to "anxieties over life's demands, and the desire for wealth...it bears no yield" (Mk 4:19). Instead, have "great confidence in God" (2 Cor 3:4). "Do not, then, surrender your confidence; it will have great reward" (Heb 10:35).

Prayer:  Father, give me a firm heart that trusts in You (Ps 112:7). Help me to express my confidence in You by giving cheerfully (2 Cor 9:7), lavishly (Ps 112:9), and generously (2 Cor 9:10).

Promise:  "Lavishly he gives to the poor; his generosity shall endure forever; his horn shall be exalted in glory." —Ps 112:9

Praise:  When commanded by the emperor to bring him the Church's treasures, St. Lawrence brought him those who were lame, maimed, orphaned, and widowed.

Reference:  (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 4, 2013

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