What in St. Augustine’s life do you find admirable? - Daily Reflections August 28,2014

A TRULY GREAT SAINT AND THEOLOGIAN

 

Today we celebrate the feast day of St. Augustine, a truly great saint and theologian. As a young man, he was not known for his faith but for virtually the opposite. Whatever Augustine did, he did with gusto. And so, when he sinned, he did so greatly. He gave in to many of the sexual pleasures of his time and kept a mistress for many years. He even had at least one son that we know of. But when the time for his conversion came, he eventually surrendered himself and his enormous intellect to the grace of God. For me, he is probably the greatest of all the Church theologians as he is the first to really comment on all the various branches of theology in a systematic manner. He is the most quoted of all the saints in both the Prayer of the Church and the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

       St. Augustine was baptized when he was 32 years old after arriving in Milan and being enraptured by the preaching of St. Anselm, the bishop of Milan at that time. A few years later, Augustine was ordained a priest. By virtue of public acclamation, he was ordained a bishop after a few years. And so began his long and distinguished service to the Church, fighting heresy and error. Some people today blame the over-zealous conscience of Augustine for the Church’s sometimes perceived negative view of human nature — its proneness to sin. However, I believe they do him an injustice.

       Augustine was a realist and, thus, not worried with speaking out the truth. He does so in a very frank manner in his autobiography — probably the first ever written — and anyone who wants to understand the spirituality of this man must begin with this epic work. It can be difficult reading at times but well worth the effort. I recommend that you read his Confessions and see that he is truly a man for whom the love of God comes above all other things. Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: What in St. Augustine’s life do you find admirable?

 

Holy Spirit, help me to be inspired by St. Augustine’s love for God and his fellow men and women. Lead me in the path of conversion so that my life may inspire others to follow the Lord.