Homily for Wednesday in the Nineteenth Week of Ordinary Time (Saint Laurence, Deacon, Martyr), delivered in Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, Gladstone, Qld.

"Do not forget: thin sowing means thin reaping; the more you sow, the more you reap. Each one should give what he has decided in his own mind, not grudgingly or because he is made to, for God loves a cheerful giver. And there is no limit to the blessings which God can send you – he will make sure that you will always have all you need for yourselves in every possible circumstance, and still have something to spare for all sorts of good works. As scripture says: He was free in almsgiving, and gave to the poor: his good deeds will never be forgotten. The one who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide you with all the seed you want and make the harvest of your good deeds a larger one." (2 Cor 9:6-10).

"I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life." (Jn 8:12).

"Jesus said to his disciples: I tell you, most solemnly, unless a wheat grain falls on the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain; but if it dies, it yields a rich harvest. Anyone who loves his life loses it; anyone who hates his life in this world will keep it for the eternal life. If a man serves me, he must follow me, wherever I am, my servant will be there too. If anyone serves me, my Father will honour him." (Jn 12:24-26).

Artwork: "St. Lawrence Distributing the Treasures of the Church" by Bernardo Strozzi, (c. 1625).