Are you true to what you believe in? Does your life reflect it? - Daily Reflections August 28,2013

ST. AUGUSTINE, TRUE —

THROUGH AND THROUGH!

 

Today is the feast of a great saint, St. Augustine. His life was not holy from the very beginning. He was a true sinner, but he went through a lot of purification. Like Philip, he had no guile within himself. He never denied it. He loved women especially — their bodies, beauty and youth. He was intelligent but used it for his own popularity. He lived an extremely immoral life from the Christian point of view. His mother, St. Monica, spent a lot of time on her knees, begging the Lord for his enlightenment. One day, her prayers were answered, but not without difficulty.

       While in Milan, St. Augustine heard St. Ambrose preaching. St. Augustine heard of the technique and power of the latter’s preaching. Wanting to learn those qualities, he listened to him and got caught in the faith, and later converted and was baptized by St. Ambrose. In his Confessions, he recalled his struggles. He was honest enough to say to God that it was hard for him to let go of his carnal and other desires. He begged for compromise, but God would not let him. St. Augustine decided to make a 180-degree turn from his evil ways. After his conversion, he used his intelligence and  speaking prowess to proclaim the Gospel and defend the faith. He became one of the Catholic Church’s greatest apologists. He was a true convert.

       God leaves us free to use our talents and qualities. In the Gospel, the Pharisees elected to use their positions and qualities in hypocrisy. They said one thing but did another. The Lord Jesus was against it. Christians should be perfect as their Father is perfect. Lukewarmness has no place in Christianity. Let us be true through and through.

       St. Augustine was true in his evil life. He used the same attitude in his new life of grace. We have the same challenge. We have hope no matter how sinful we are. We can be true to our faith. We were borne out of truth in the first place. St. Augustine, pray for us! Fr. Benny Tuazon

 

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Are you true to what you believe in? Does your life reflect it?

 

Lord Jesus, grant me the courage to accept my sinfulness but also have hope that I can change and be holy through Your grace.