1st Reading: 1 Th 4:1-8
Gospel: Mt 25:1-13
Today in this Eucharist, we remember the life of the great saint, St Augustine, who lived during the 4th century.
He wrote many theological and spiritual works and to this present day, 2 of his works, The City of God and Confessions are still widely read.
In fact, the book "Confessions" is a sort of a spiritual journal for catechumens but it was more his own spiritual journey in discovery God.
In his younger days, St Augustine was a wild and rebellious man. But he was also very intelligent and he studied philosophy and he taught rhetorics.
Of course, his mother, St Monica had an influential part in his conversion, especially through her prayers.
The turning point of his life came when he heard a homily preached by St Ambrose.
He went off to a lonely place to do some soul-searching and there he seem to hear a child singing: take and read.
He opened the bible at random and he read Rom 13:13-14
Which essentially is about living in the day and not in the darkness.
That was enough for him and he made preparations to be baptized.
In his book "Confessions" he talked about his experience of God.
And here I quote two sections that reflect St Augustine's journey of discovering God, which in many ways reflect our own journey of discovering and loving God.
Late have I loved you, O beauty both ancient and new, late have I loved you.
You called, you cried out, you rid me of my deafness.
You sent forth your beams and shame upon me and chased away my blindness.
You stir us up Lord, and make us find joy in praising you, since you have made us for yourself. And our hearts find no rest until they rest in you.
Gospel: Mt 25:1-13
Today in this Eucharist, we remember the life of the great saint, St Augustine, who lived during the 4th century.
He wrote many theological and spiritual works and to this present day, 2 of his works, The City of God and Confessions are still widely read.
In fact, the book "Confessions" is a sort of a spiritual journal for catechumens but it was more his own spiritual journey in discovery God.
In his younger days, St Augustine was a wild and rebellious man. But he was also very intelligent and he studied philosophy and he taught rhetorics.
Of course, his mother, St Monica had an influential part in his conversion, especially through her prayers.
The turning point of his life came when he heard a homily preached by St Ambrose.
He went off to a lonely place to do some soul-searching and there he seem to hear a child singing: take and read.
He opened the bible at random and he read Rom 13:13-14
Which essentially is about living in the day and not in the darkness.
That was enough for him and he made preparations to be baptized.
In his book "Confessions" he talked about his experience of God.
And here I quote two sections that reflect St Augustine's journey of discovering God, which in many ways reflect our own journey of discovering and loving God.
Late have I loved you, O beauty both ancient and new, late have I loved you.
You called, you cried out, you rid me of my deafness.
You sent forth your beams and shame upon me and chased away my blindness.
You stir us up Lord, and make us find joy in praising you, since you have made us for yourself. And our hearts find no rest until they rest in you.