# Reflecting on Psalm 23 and St. Lawrence of Brindisi
*2015-07-21*

> Bill Young celebrates the feast of St. Lawrence of Brindisi, highlights his linguistic gifts, and leads a meditation on Psalm 23, ending with a quote from St. Anthony.

## St. Lawrence of Brindisi – A Scholar of Languages

Good afternoon, I’m Bill Young. Today is Tuesday, July 21, the feast day of St. Lawrence of Brindisi. Lawrence was a remarkable scholar who mastered more than eight languages, including Latin, Hebrew, Greek, German, and others. He was born on July 22, 1559, and died on his birthday in 1619, exactly sixty years later. He was ordained a priest at the age of 23. Pope Clement VIII recognized his knowledge of Hebrew and asked him to help Jews in Italy understand Christianity.

## His Theological Insight

St. Lawrence taught that “God is love, and all His operations proceed from love.” He explained that when God wills good, He manifests it by sharing His love beyond Himself. The Incarnation, then, is the supreme expression of God’s goodness, love, and glory. Christ, being before all creatures, is the first‑born of every creature, and all of creation finds its purpose in Him. Lawrence affirmed that this truth would hold even if Adam had not sinned.

## Prayer for the Pilgrimage

I’m currently staying at the hotel where Pope Francis will be staying from July 22‑23. Please pray for a safe journey for all pilgrims traveling from Miami to Washington, D.C., as well as for those joining the Pope’s trips to Cuba, Philadelphia, and New York.

## Meditation on Psalm 23

Let us pray the Psalms together:

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

## A Quote from St. Anthony

St. Anthony reminds us: “Do you want to have everything? Give all of yourself to God, and God will give you all of Himself. By giving yourself completely, you come to possess God wholly within you.”

*When we entrust ourselves wholly to God, we discover that He gives us everything we truly need.*