A Bundle of Myrrh

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On August 10th the Church remembers St. Lawrence “who kept and distributed the church’s goods and alms. When the prefect of Rome demanded that Lawrence turn over the church’s treasury, Lawrence made a faithful confession, showing the prefect the widowed and orphaned, the blind and lame, saying, “These are the treasures of the Church.” For his fidelity, Lawrence was burned — roasted alive — over a gridiron.” source

The stories of the martyrs are kept in our memory by the Church for good reason. Lawrence was killed over a 1000 years ago. We can read his story and sigh at the sadness, cruelty and be awed by his faithfulness, then go along with our day. We are reminded how God can give His children great suffering but also great strength to face it, even if it means their death.

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July 31st the church remembers Joseph of Arimathea.

 “Joseph of Arimathea came, a prominent member of the Council, who himself was waiting for the kingdom of God; and he gathered up courage and went in before Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate wondered if He was dead by this time, and summoning the centurion, he questioned him as to whether He was already dead. And ascertaining this from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph. Joseph bought a linen cloth, took Him down, wrapped Him in the linen cloth and laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out in the rock; and he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses were looking onto see where He was laid.” Mark 15:43-47

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Yesterday we celebrated Lily Ruth’s Name Day with the Commemoration of Ruth.

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From Starck’s Prayer Book: “Not only has the merciful love of God purposed from eternity to grant us many blessings; not only has Jesus purchased us with His holy blood; but the Holy Spirit, who is the most glorious, most necessary, and most blessed gift, desires to lead, sanctify, and govern us even in this vale of tears.”

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