“God Loves a Cheerful Giver”

Feast of Saint Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr

Reading 1 2 Corinthians 9:6-10

Brothers and sisters:
Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly,
and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion,
for God loves a cheerful giver.
Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you,
so that in all things, always having all you need,
you may have an abundance for every good work.
As it is written:
He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.
The one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food
will supply and multiply your seed
and increase the harvest of your righteousness.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 112:1-2, 5-6, 7-8, 9

R. (5) Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.
Blessed the man who fears the LORD,
who greatly delights in his commands.
His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth;
the upright generation shall be blessed.
R. Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.
Well for the man who is gracious and lends,
who conducts his affairs with justice;
He shall never be moved;
the just one shall be in everlasting remembrance.
R. Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.
An evil report he shall not fear;
his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.
His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear
till he looks down upon his foes.
R. Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.
Lavishly he gives to the poor,
his generosity shall endure forever;
his horn shall be exalted in glory.
R. Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.

Alleluia John 8:12

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness
but will have the light of life, says the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel John 12:24-26

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Amen, amen, I say to you,
unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies,
it remains just a grain of wheat;
but if it dies, it produces much fruit.
Whoever loves his life loses it,
and whoever hates his life in this world
will preserve it for eternal life.
Whoever serves me must follow me,
and where I am, there also will my servant be.
The Father will honor whoever serves me.”

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Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

August 10, 2026 // Feast of Saint Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr

Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s First Reading: 2 Corinthians 9:6-10

Reflect on the Word //

This past year, I have learned a lot about giving directly from the eagerly raised hands of elementary school children. There is something pure about their willingness to serve, as if it is a coat of honor that God Himself helps them shrug on at the start of every school day. As a student teacher, I would receive drawings everyday, each scrawled with kind words, and when I dropped a box of pencils or a pile of papers, students from the back of the classroom would scurry forward to help tidy up. When I looked up to say thank you, I always knew I would find them already back at their desks, eyes squinted on their paper, pencil in hand, and a faint smile tugging at their lips.

In today’s First Reading, Paul states that “God loves a cheerful giver,” and that “in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:7-8). We often think we need more in order to give more, but this is far from the truth.

The Lord gives to us in abundance, as sure as the dew on the grass each morning. The world teaches us to focus on our lack instead of our abundance, but as long as we cling to our checkbooks and claim we are short on time, we will hesitate to step into the life that God has blessed and ordained for us—one of service to others.

Saint Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr (whose feast we celebrate today) believed this so much so that when asked to present the wealth of the Church to the pagan prefect of Rome, he presented the poor and sick, claiming, “These are the treasures of the Church” (Saint Ambrose, On the Duties of the Clergy, XXVIII.140).

Next time we find ourselves holding on to that skirt we never wear, hesitating to give to our church’s third capital campaign, or claiming we do not have time to drive that friend to the airport, let us refocus on what truly matters: blessing others.

Relate to the Lord // Take some time to reflect on the Lord’s abundant generosity to you today. Make a list and thank Him!

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About Olivia Jackson

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Olivia Jackson, known by her family and friends as Liv, recently graduated from the University of Iowa College of Education. She now happily lives and works in Des Moines, Iowa as a third grade teacher at a catholic grade school. She enjoys anything outdoorsy, creative, or active and can often be found reading in a hammock, scrapbooking with music and a snack, or enjoying a fun workout class. Olivia is a social butterfly and loves being surrounded by and meeting Christ in her family, friends, co-workers, and students!