Deacon Lawrence

St. Lawrence is remembered for his quip on the gridiron that he was done on one side and needed to be turned over.  His playfullness as he was being roasted to death still captivates us.  It must have been part of his nature, for when he was asked to turn over the treasure of the Church to the Roman authorities, he asked for time to "get the accounts all settled," and used the time to round up the Rome's poor and presented them as the treasure.  Not all of us are blessed with such a good-natured approach to adversity, but certainly could use a dose of the Lawrencian approach, for adversity, challenge are always a part of life.
For example, on this day in 1886, the first school taught by the brothers opened in Lewiston, Maine.  After getting off to a fairly good start, the brothers were criticized by the pastor for offering too rudimentary an education, nd not at a high enough level to allow the students to further their educations after elementary school.  It was potato country, and just getting the students to attend class whas a major victory, but the pastor did not see it this way and in 1893 informed the brothers that their services were no longer needed.  They didn't joke about it, as St. Lawrence would have done, no doubt, but left hurt, as if they had failed.
Some good seed must have been sown, however, for three young men became brothers while the school wa opened, and six after it had closed.  St. Lawrence saw beyond the flames to a greater good, and invites us to do the same.
Bro. Rene