When slow consuming had seared                               

                                                              The flesh of Lawrence for a space,

He calmly from his gridiron made

This terse proposal to the judge: 

“Pray turn my body, on one side

Already broiled sufficiently,

And see how well your Vulcan’s fire

Has wrought its cruel punishment.”

                      – From a poem by Prudentius

                        On the martyrdom of St. Lawrence

For Reflection: 

Martyrdom comes in many ways. Sometimes it requires the shedding of our blood, sometimes not. Where am I feeling the consuming heat of martyrdom in my life right now? In what specific way can I accept this suffering with joy and strength as exemplified by St. Lawrence?