Daily Reflection Memorial of Saint Augustine

How interesting it is that both Paul’s and Augustine’s struggles are similar yet different! In his earlier life, Paul’s hardening of his intellect to those who followed Jesus’ way is similar to Augustine’s allowing himself to be controlled by his own narcissistic tendencies in his earlier life. Yet, is that not the same with all of us as we travel together in our journey with God? We have our struggles, but we are not alone. Paul is attempting to explain to the Thessalonians that life is hard. There is no easy way out. However, keeping our eyes and hearts on what God wants of us is our road map to choosing the right course of action, to doing good. The earlier lives of both Paul and Augustine illustrate how conflicted they were in their struggles with their minds and with their bodies.

    In today’s gospel, Jesus warns the scribes, the Pharisees and us about setting priorities in our lives—and following those priorities on a daily basis. Of course, we cannot live this dynamic alone! Our Scripture readings of the past Sundays explain in detail how Jesus gave us his body and blood in the Eucharist. This gift is not a symbol or a mere rubric. Receiving the Eucharist is our way of thanking God for Jesus, as well as, strengthening us to live the works of mercy and the beatitudes.

    Both readings today focus on our interior motives. Why am I, why are you doing what we are doing? Ignatius’ daily examen encourages us to evaluate those words, those actions, those thoughts that enable us to live the gospel or not live the gospel because of our loving responses or our selfishness. We are not alone in our journey. In addition to our friendship with God, we are accompanied by all those whose experience of God impels them to see God in all. And seeing God in all, we respond by our actions.

“Too late have I loved you, O Beauty so ancient and so new, too late have I loved you! You were with me, but I was not with you. You cried out and pierced my deafness. You enlightened my blindness.  I tasted you and I am hungry for you. You touched me, and I am afire with longing for your embrace.”

                                                                                                  --St. Augustine