Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Readings: 1 Thes 1:1-5, 8b-10; Ps 149:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9b; Mt 23:13-22
Notes: (a bit long today)
God, infinitely perfect and blessed in himself, in a plan of sheer goodness freely created man to make him share in his own blessed life. For this reason, at every time and in every place, God draws close to man. He calls man to seek him, to know him, to love him with all his strength. He calls together all men, scattered and divided by sin, into the unity of his family, the Church. To accomplish this, when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son as Redeemer and Saviour. In his Son and through him, he invites men to become, in the Holy Spirit, his adopted children and thus heirs of his blessed life.
Source: https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/catechism/index.cfm?recnum=81
Today and tomorrow are special memorials which together deserve a special mention.
Memorial of Saint Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist
- Augustine learned of Jesus through the evangelization and prayers of others, especially his mother.
- John the Baptist knew Jesus from his mother’s womb.
- Each had their own struggles in faith and their particular frailties.
But they held firm.
(Special note: Worth mentioning that the Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary also cycled through today’s gospel portion, just saying).
Memorial of Saint Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Born: November 13, 354 AD, Thagaste (Hey, Barry, that sounds familiar!)
Died: August 28, 430 AD
Reflection
Augustine is still acclaimed and condemned in our day. He is a prophet for today, trumpeting the need to scrap escapisms and stand face-to-face with personal responsibility and dignity.
Reflection at: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-augustine-of-hippo/
Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist
Born: 1st decade bce, Judaea, Palestine, near Jerusalem (best guess)
Died: 28-36 CE (best guess)
Reflection
Each of us has a calling to which we must listen. No one will ever repeat the mission of John, and yet all of us are called to that very mission. It is the role of the Christian to witness to Jesus. Whatever our position in this world, we are called to be disciples of Christ. By our words and deeds, others should realize that we live in the joy of knowing that Jesus is Lord. We do not have to depend upon our own limited resources, but can draw strength from the vastness of Christ’s saving grace.
Reflection at: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/martyrdom-of-saint-john-the-baptist/
John the Baptist was 6 months older than Jesus so you can calculate for his DOB.
John the Baptist died prior to Jesus so you can calculate for his DOD.
Finally, prior homilies/reflections on Mt 23:13-22, The Woes:
http://deacongerrypalermo.blog/2022/08/22/without-heart-reason-goes-mad-boff-95/
http://deacongerrypalermo.blog/2021/08/23/keep-a-good-horizon/
First Reading
For our Gospel did not come to you in word alone, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with much conviction. You know what sort of people we were among you for your sake. In every place your faith in God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything.
Responsorial
The Lord takes delight in his people.
Gospel Acclamation
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me.
Gospel
John the Baptist proclaimed and opened in word and deed the Kingdom.
Augustine made children of G-d in his role as Bishop of Hippo.
You can do this!
Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples:
[Don’t] lock the Kingdom of heaven before men.
[Don’t] make children of Gehenna.
[Don’t] swear (this woe does not set up a standard for Christian moral conduct, but ridicules the Pharisees on their own terms (NABRE commentary)).
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry