Memorial of St.
Augustine, bishop and doctor of the Church
(I Thessalonians 4:1-8; Matthew 25:1-13)
In the 1920s the University of Chicago pioneered a course of
studies in the humanities called the “Great Books.” Since then students in scores of universities
have pored over the classics of western civilization like Plato’s Dialogues and the New Testament. Criteria for the list of great books include
relevance to the modern era, value in being reread numerous times, and
treatment of questions humans continually ask themselves. It should not surprise us to learn St. Augustine’s works
will be found on every list of “Great Books.”
After Augustine converted to Christianity and became a
priest and later a bishop, he settled in the city of Hippo. There he studied, preached, and wrote
prodigiously. His collected works would overflow
any bookshelf. He did not seek fame or
fortune for his efforts but gave his life as God’s servant to the people he
shepherded.
Today’s gospel speaks of the necessity of having lamps
burning brightly. It is a matter of
being seen. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus
tells his disciples that they are “the light of the world.” Here the virgins
hold lamps. In both cases Jesus intends
that his disciples perform good deeds in God’s name so that the world might know
of His love. Augustine in his
extraordinarily gifted way did just that.
He humbly contributed to the wisdom of the ages and faithfully guided
those under his pastoral care.
