Memorial of St. Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Yesterday’s celebration of St. Monica was a natural introduction to the towering figure of her son St. Augustine of Hippo. As an early theologian and doctor of the Church, St. Augustine set the bar very high for all who would lift up the mysteries of faith to greater understanding and appreciation.
Augustine brought a unique combination of writing skills and wide-ranging philosophical thought to document his spiritual journey. His prolific theological writings reached their greatest impact when he became a bishop and doctor of the Church. One of his most popular quotations captures the universal desire and experience of a person of faith down through the centuries.
“Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in thee.” ― Augustine of Hippo, Confessions.
In a very practical way, Augustine captures the root meaning of wisdom as a deep and lasting relationship with the Lord. St. Paul points this out in the first reading of today’s liturgy, proclaiming that the person of Jesus is the source of our wisdom and ultimately perfected in the mystery of the Cross. The heart of Jesus longs for union with the Father reaching its fulfillment in accepting the Cross with all that it means.
Jesus in today’s Gospel adds a practical dimension to wisdom by pointing out the need to be fully aware of the present moment. The moment of response is so critical that the wise person, deeply in love with and invested in Jesus, naturally prepares “extra oil” just in case. The “extra oil” may be time spent in prayer and reflection on the Word of God. It might also be those acts of kindness that sharpen our vision and inflame our desire to see the Lord truly present.
Reflection by Fr. Daniel Petsche, OSB
Posted in Articles for Lent, Daily Reflections, Lenten Resources