Memorial of St.
Augustine, bishop and doctor of the Church
(I Thessalonians 2:9-13; Matthew 23:27-32)
It has been proposed that the three most important persons
in early Christianity are Jesus, Paul, and Augustine. Some might wonder why this short list would
have to mention Jesus and why it does not include the Blessed Mother or St.
Peter. But the proposition concerns the formation
of a great religion. Jesus started it
all. Paul propelled it forward with his
work among non-Jews. And Augustine gave
Christianity, in the West at least, a solid theoretical basis.
There are many comparisons to be made between Paul and
Augustine beyond enshrinement in Christianity’s hall of fame. Both experienced famous conversions. Paul, of course, was persecuting Christianity
when the Lord turned his life upside down on the road to Damascus Milan
Perhaps most importantly both Paul and Augustine can be
considered together for their work developing the concept of grace. Paul understood that we humans were doomed to
sin when God sent His son to save us.
Augustine made it clear that salvation is not a little bit God’s offer
and a little bit our response. No, Augustine
taught, even the inspiration to respond to God’s offer is a movement of divine
grace within us.
