Commemoration of Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr

Today our Synod commemorates St. Lawrence. From the Treasury and Synod's website:

Early in the third century A.D., Lawrence, most likely born in Spain, made his way to Rome. There he was appointed chief of the seven deacons and was given the responsibility to manage church property and finances. The emperor at the time, who thought that the church had valuable things worth confiscating, ordered Lawrence to produce the “treasures of the church.” Laurence brought before the emperor the poor whose lives had been touched by Christian charity. He was then jailed and eventually executed in the year 258 by being roasted on a gridiron. His martyrdom left a deep impression on the young church. Almost immediately, the date of His death, August 10, became a permanent fixture on the early commemorative calendar of the Church.

Today's collect begs the God who gave the crown of martyrdom to St. Lawrence: "Grant us the same charity of heart that we may fulfill Your love by defending and supporting the poor, that by loving them we may love You with all our hearts." (Treasury, p. 610)

One can almost hear St. Lawrence singing the words of the hymn assigned for today:

And thus I live in God contented
And die without a thought of fear:
My soul has to God's plans consented
For through His Son my faith is clear.
O God, for Jesus' sake I pray
Your peace may bless my dying day!