Memorial of St. Augustine, bishop and doctor of the Church
(I Thessalonians 2:9-13; Matthew
23:27-32)
It may pain a pastor to insist that their people diverge
from cultural norms to live in conformity with the gospel. The issue of artificial contraception quickly
comes to mind in contemporary times. Priests
have a hard time preaching about it. In previous
generations there were others like the requirement to forgive one’s enemies or
the evil of slavery. St. Augustine echoed
St. Paul in today’s first reading about the need to preach hard truths. Paul says he did not waiver to insist that
Christians “walk in a manner worthy of God.”
Augustine gave a famous sermon to priests about the ways
of a true pastor. He told them that they
are not to court the favor of the people by preaching only what the people like
to hear. Rather they are to set their sights
on Christ who suffered to live without sin.
In another sermon Augustine said how terrified he was as a bishop and
how comforted he was as a Christian. His
reasoning was that as a Christian, he experienced God’s grace; but as a pastor,
he was accountable for people’s souls.
On this feast day of St. Augustine we might say a word to
God on behalf of our pastors. We should
want God to inspire them to know His will and to provide them the strength to
preach it.
