The Sowing That Bleeds

Wednesday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time. Year II 

(Feast of St Laurence, Deacon, Martyr). 

Reflection by Rev Fr Oselumhense Anetor (Uromi Diocese)

The Sowing That Bleeds!
2 Cor. 9:6-10; Jn.12:24-26

Ever heard of St Laurence? He was one of the seven deacons of the Church of Rome, who was executed on 10th August 258, four days after Sixtus II and his companions. He sowed a seed of blood. There is no seed more valuable than this. 

Today, people donate large sums of money to Churches as 'seed' because they want long life and prosperity. This isn't bad. But what if the seed that God truly wants is the seed of our blood? Yes! The seed that bleeds? If he didn't spare his own son, how much more us?

Friends, the saints were not afraid to sow this kind of seed. In fact, many of them prayed for this kind of sowing but never got the opportunity. Jesus says to us in the gospel reading, "unless a wheat grain falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain". And as the Church Father Tertullian said in the Second Century, "the blood of martyrs is the seed of the Church". Remember Fr Hamel? Let's start bleeding for God's name and glory. Our world needs it, and God totally deserves it.

Good Evening. God Bless You.