^{9th Sunday after Pentecost 2025}
When St. Lawrence was commanded to turn over all the treasures of the Church to the Roman rulers, the holy deacon brought all the poor among the Christian faithful before the Roman prefect. St. Lawrence desired to show them that the true treasures of the Church are to be found in the poor and humble. He was martyred by being burned alive, and his heroic endurance of this torture showed his complete union with Christ in prayer.

The theme of the Epistle for this Mass is conversion of life. St. Paul reminds the Corinthians not to fall back into sin, particularly sins of the flesh. He uses examples from the Old Testament to warn us about the punishments in store for those who turn away from God. Although, as Christians we remain ever hopeful, let us never presume we are safe in our spiritual life. Souls holier than we have fallen.
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