Saint Laurence O’ Toole Born 1128, Lorcán Ua Tuathail, also known as Saint Laurence O’Toole, was Archbishop of Dublin at the time of the Norman invasion of Ireland. He played a prominent role in the Irish Church Reform Movement of the 12th century. He was canonised in 1225 by Pope Honorius III. When he was 32 he was elected unanimously Archbishop of Dublin at the Synod of Clane. He was the first Irishman to be appointed to the See of this town ruled by Danes and Norwegians.  He played a prominent part in rebuilding Christ Church Cathedral, several parish churches and emphasising the use of Gregorian chant. Archbishop Lorcán left Ireland in 1179 to attend the Third Council of the Lateran in Rome. On his return to Ireland he kept up the pace of reform to such an extent that as many as 150 clerics were withdrawn from their offices for various abuses and sent to Rome. In 1180, he left Ireland for the last time. He died on 14 November 1180.

REFLECTION FOR THE DAY

Well with those who deal generously and lend… Psalm 112:5

This line from the responsorial psalm made me stop. I was especially struck by the word “lends.” Notice, there is no direct object following “lends.” The psalm doesn’t tell us what the person lends. That caused me to reflect on the kind of things we can lend to other people. We can lend an ear, lend an arm, lend some money, lend a helping hand, lend a tool or helpful gadget. The list goes on. Lending is important because it involves mutual trust. The lender is entrusting something to the person who asks. The person who asks trusts that the lender will say “yes.” Lending also nurtures relationships. It creates a bond between the two parties. We must remember, though, that it is often easier to lend things rather than to lend our time and attention. Look around today. Is there something you might lend to someone else—even before being asked? If so, lend. And do so graciously.