I learned recently that Lawrence was probably decapitated--the Latin phrase "he suffered (martyred)" was mistaken for "he was roasted" (literally cooked on a gridiron like a side of meat). I enjoy the humor and flippancy the Church treats death (without crossing into irreverence). Although probably just a legend, Lawrence is said to have told his persecutors "Turn me over now, I'm done on this side." My kids thought that was hilarious.
How we will celebrate:
- As we do now for every martyr's day, read 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Revelation 6:9-11, Romans 8:31-35, Matthew 24:9-14
- Watch "St. Lawrence's Fiery Tears" this week (the meteor shower is heaviest August 10-12) and read Psalm 8.
- Color a picture
- Enjoy barbecue sandwiches at the county fair.
- Deliver dinner to a family in dire financial need (in case you didn't read his biography, Lawrence was a deacon of Rome, and when the state threatened to seize the church's assets, he quickly distributed it all to the poor, then declared the poor "the treasures of the church," to the state's irritation.)
How do you handle the sometimes grisly descriptions of martyrs' deaths? How do you approach the topic of martyrdom with your children?
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| Only Bernini can make roasting on a gridiron look glamorous |
