Treasure

StLawrence of Brindisi.  Monday 10th August, 2020

I've always had a 'soft spot' admiration for St Lawrence. He was martyred in the most horrid way by being grilled alive over an open fire. His crime was to be a Christian and to refuse to hand over the supposed riches of the church which he allegedly possessed. Basically he retorted that his only riches were his people and the poor...they were his treasures. How many, I wonder, would say likewise today? Probably more than a few so we need not despair. I do worry that there is insufficient realisation that all peoples whatever their status, race, wealth, creed are the real treasures we all have and share.

I was reminded this morning of a friend's 93rd birthday. Sadly 4 days ago while reaching for the coffee jar in a kitchen cupboard she fell, knocked herself out, lost much blood and broke her hip. She was unconscious for a time also her other hip had only recently been operated upon. Now the other hip needed to be dealt with.

I had an email last Friday to be told of the impending operation. Then last night her son telephoned that she had gotten through the operation and was recovering in hospital.

What next for her?

She is one of those lovely, gentle, ever welcoming people. I knew her husband who died some 10 years ago. He too was a gentle man. Both of them were full of the simple joys of life and ever grateful for what they had, although it was little. He loved her and his garden, she loved him and her home. They both loved their children. They were quite straightforwardly simple, good, loving people.

Both of them were humble, full of kindly thoughts re other people. Although aware of evil and cruelty they were sad for the perpetrators as well as the sufferers. " How could someone do that? " they'd ask. They they'd add " we must pray for them as they too must be in torment".

No wonder St Lawrence considered his people such as these as his treasure.

What do I truly treasure?

What would I be grilled alive for?