Wednesday, August 28, 2019

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.

Homilette for Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Wednesday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time

(I Thessalonians 2:9-13; Matthew 23:27-32)

Thessalonica was a prominent city in northern Greece. It was situated along the great Roman highway, Via Egnatia, about one hundred miles west of Philippi, Paul’s first stop after he crossed the Hellespont into Europe. Thessalonica had a Jewish synagogue as well as various pagan temples. Paul was evidently successful in preaching to both kinds of people there.

One reason for Paul’s success was probably his willingness to do physical work for his keep. Today’s reading from his letter mentions his “working day and night in order not to burden” anyone. Probably this means that he labored by day at his tent-making craft and at night preaching to the people. As evidenced by Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity in our own time, people generally accept missionaries who do not have their hands out.

Paul emphasizes that the Thessalonians are receptive not so much of him and his companions as of the word of God which they preach. They are but men, but their message has a divine thrust. It acts with unrelenting power to square motives and thinking with righteous action and a renewing spirit. This same word of God has remade us also as true children of God.