Realizing that you are a sinner, are you easily discouraged? Or, like St. Augustine, do you move on, trusting in God’s mercy and forgiveness? - Daily Reflections August 28,2015

SEARCHING FOR THE TRUTH

 

Augustine was born in 354 in what is now Algeria in northern Africa. At the age of 17, he took a mistress and kept her for 15 years. After her, he took another one. He accepted for nine years the heresy of Manichaeism. Then he studied Plato and finally the Bible. In September 386, at the age of 32, he converted to Catholicism and was baptized on Easter the following year by St. Ambrose.

       Back in Africa, he led a life of intensive study, fasting and prayer. Three years later, he was ordained a priest and moved to Hippo. After six years, he became bishop of Hippo, a diocese he guided for the next 34 years as a totally dedicated pastor.

      He was a busy man. He traveled on more than 50 journeys throughout his diocese, preached countless sermons, and wrote many letters. Augustine did not only fight numerous heresies; he also explained the true faith positively and laid the foundation of much of Catholic social teachings and theology. Pope Emeritus Benedict’s theology is deeply rooted in St. Augustine. And since the Catechism of the Catholic Church was mainly written by Cardinal Ratzinger, no wonder that Augustine is quoted there far more often than any other writer.

       St. Augustine wrote 113 books. The Confessions and Of the City of God are the most famous ones. He became the most brilliant and influential theologian of the Church. Only Thomas Aquinas in the 13th century would surpass him.

       St. Augustine is still relevant to us by the magnificent example he set in his search for truth. In this connection, St. John Paul II wrote, “Augustine teaches the person who searches for truth not to despair of finding it; he himself rediscovered it after many years of laborious seeking.”

       We all are searching for truth. Like Augustine, we might at times be led astray, even lose our faith for a while. But what St. Augustine tells us through his life is to never give up in our search. Fr. Rudy Horst, SVD

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Realizing that you are a sinner, are you easily discouraged? Or, like St. Augustine, do you move on, trusting in God’s mercy and forgiveness?

 

Lord, I don’t often see any improvement in my spiritual life. Please help me to never give up but continue to search for the truth and trust in Your love.