2026-08-10 - Nothing multiplies until something is surrendered Author: Fr. Camillus Nwaigwe
10th of August 2026*
Feast of Saint Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr
_2Cor 9,6-10_
_Jn 12:24-26_
Today, the Church celebrates St. Lawrence, one of the seven deacons of Rome under Pope Sixtus II. He served the Church especially by caring for the poor.
During the persecution of Emperor Valerian, Lawrence was arrested and martyred around 258 AD. He is remembered for his courage, generosity and complete dedication to Christ.
His life reminds us that true service may demand sacrifice, and a life given to Christ is never wasted.
There is a principle running through today's readings: nothing truly multiplies until something is surrendered. A seed is small, but when it is surrendered to the soil, it becomes a harvest. Bread is limited, but when surrendered into the hands of Jesus, it feeds thousands. A life is finite, but when surrendered to God, it can touch generations. Jesus says, "Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit." The tragedy is that many things remain small in our lives because we refuse to surrender them.
As long as the farmer keeps the seed in his hand, he has seed, but no harvest. There are people who have talents they have never surrendered to God, opportunities they have never used for others, resources they have never shared, and gifts they have never allowed to bless anyone. You cannot have a harvest from what you are afraid to release. Sometimes we pray: "Lord, multiply what I have." But God may be asking, "Are you willing to release what you have?"
Beloved, surrender is not losing; it is allowing God to multiply. Paul says, "Whoever sows sparingly will reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will reap generously." The farmer does something that appears irrational: he puts good seed into the ground and covers it with soil. To the eyes, it looks like loss. But God sees a future harvest. That is often how faith works. You forgive someone when you could retaliate. You give when you also have needs. You serve when nobody appreciates you. You remain faithful when nobody is watching. You sacrifice your comfort for your family. You give your time to the Church. Sometimes it looks as though you are losing. But in God's economy, sacrifice can become seed.
Some things must die before something greater can emerge. The seed has to die to its original form. Likewise, there are things we must allow to die in us: Pride must die for humility to grow. Selfishness must die for generosity to grow. Hatred must die for forgiveness to grow. Laziness must die for excellence to grow. Fear must die for courage to grow. The desire for recognition must die for genuine service to grow. Sin must die for holiness to grow. Sometimes we are asking God for a new life while refusing to let the old life die. You cannot plant yesterday and expect tomorrow's harvest.
What are you refusing to surrender? What are you holding in your hand that God is asking you to place in His hands?Sometimes, the very thing you are afraid to lose is the very thing God wants to multiply.
God bless us all.
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