Optional Memorial of Saint Lawrence of Brindisi, Priest and Doctor of the Church

Brief Background:

St. Lawrence of Brindisi (1559–1619) was an Italian Capuchin Franciscan priest, gifted preacher, theologian, and one of the greatest biblical scholars of his time. Blessed with an extraordinary ability for languages, he mastered Latin, Greek, Hebrew, German, and several other languages, allowing him to preach effectively across Europe and engage in dialogue with people of different faiths. He served the Church not only as a preacher and teacher but also as a diplomat and peacemaker during a time of great political and religious turmoil.

Deeply devoted to Sacred Scripture and the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Lawrence encouraged people to encounter Christ through God's Word and to trust in His mercy. His wisdom, holiness, and service to the Church led Pope St. John XXIII to declare him a Doctor of the Church in 1959.

St. Lawrence of Brindisi is the patron saint of Brindisi, Italy, and is especially invoked by preachers, biblical scholars, apologists, and those engaged in evangelization, because of his exceptional knowledge of Scripture and his tireless dedication to proclaiming the Gospel.

REFLECTION:

Last Sunday, we had our first Faith Formation team meeting. Catechists involved in youth ministry, baptism preparation, adult faith formation, and sacramental preparation all gathered to reflect on the past year and begin planning for the next one. This coming Sunday, we'll continue that planning.

During our discussion, the conversation turned to those who had missed three or more classes but still wanted to receive the sacraments. Naturally, someone asked, "What do we do with them?" The traditional response has often been simple: they missed too many classes, so they are not ready. There is some truth to that because formation is important. But I asked the team to think a little deeper.

What are we really measuring? Are we measuring readiness by the number of classes attended? Or are we measuring whether a person has truly encountered Christ, understands what he or she is about to receive, and sincerely desires to live the faith?

Sometimes the best way to know is not by counting attendance but by sitting down with the person, asking questions, listening to their story, and discerning whether they are ready to embrace the life of discipleship.

That conversation reminded me of today's Gospel.

When Jesus says, "Whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother," He isn't creating another checklist. He isn't saying family is determined by a title, a certificate, or simply by showing up. Rather, He points to something much deeper—a heart that seeks to do the Father's will.

That doesn't mean formation or attending classes isn't important. They are. Just as school attendance matters because students learn through being present, our faith is also formed through consistently gathering with the Church. But classes are meant to lead to something greater: a living relationship with Christ. The goal is not simply to complete a program but to become a disciple.

This is exactly what Micah proclaims about God. God is not looking for reasons to exclude us. Instead, Micah says that He "delights in mercy." God desires to draw people back to Himself. Mercy never ignores the truth, but neither does it reduce a person to a checklist. Mercy always asks, "Where is this person's heart?"

St. Lawrence of Brindisi understood this well. He spent his life teaching the faith, preaching the Scriptures, and leading people to Christ. He knew that knowledge alone was never enough. As he wrote: "God is love, and all His operations proceed from love. Once a man is convinced of God's love, he is transformed."

That transformation is what we hope every catechist, every parent, and every parish desires—not simply that someone completes a certain number of classes, but that they become members of Christ's family by knowing Him, loving Him, and striving to do the Father's will.

Perhaps today's readings invite us to ask ourselves: Am I simply completing religious obligations, or am I becoming more like Christ? Am I counting boxes, or am I allowing God's mercy to transform my heart?

Because in the end, Jesus doesn't say, "Whoever attended the most classes is my brother and sister." He says, "Whoever does the will of my Father."