Memorial of Saint Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Intention: For all who live in the darkness of poverty, violence, abuse, or neglect, that they may know the comfort of our solidarity and assistance, and the restoration of their security and dignity.
Today’s Gospel | Matthew 25:1-13
Jesus told his disciples this parable: “The Kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps. Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight, there was a cry, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise ones replied, ‘No, for there may not be enough for us and you. Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.’ While they went off to buy it, the bridegroom came and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him. Then the door was locked. Afterwards the other virgins came and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’ But he said in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”
From the Meditation on Saint Augustine | Saint John Baptist de La Salle
Having become bishop of Hippo, Saint Augustine devoted himself with all possible zeal to the guidance of his diocese, but God did not restrict his zeal to so limited a field. Because God had given his spirit a generosity at least equal to the depth of his knowledge, God made him useful to the whole Church. Saint Augustine was consulted by Popes and Councils and by nearly everyone in the world, even by several unbelievers to whose conversion he contributed a great deal. From all sides, people came to him to ask for clerics formed under his guidance to become pastors of the Church. Yet, so holy a manner of life was strongly opposed and condemned by the heretics, who considered him as their greatest enemy, the one among the Doctors of the Church whom they feared the most. They said everything they could against him to ruin his reputation, but because it was founded on the solid base of piety and humility, they were never able to do him any harm. He showed, in fact, extraordinary humility in leaving an account of his sins to posterity.
Our Community can be very useful to the Church, but be convinced that it will be so only to the degree it is based on these two foundations, piety and humility, which will make it indestructible.
Prayer
Eternal Father, we pray today for the grace of stewardship. Help us to never be careless with the gifts and the opportunities that you have given to us. Bless us with the readiness to welcome you whenever and however you come to us in our lives. As we make our way through our day, may we be awake to your presence, especially in the poor and the innocent, and anxious to do your will. We ask this of you who lives and reigns with your Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.