Every Sinner has a Future and every Saint has a Past (HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY OF THE TWENTY-FIRST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR II (ST. AUGUSTINE - AUGUST 28, 2024)

HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY OF THE TWENTY-FIRST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR II (ST. AUGUSTINE - AUGUST 28, 2024)

2Thess.3:6-10.16-18; Ps.128; Matthew 23:27-32

Every Sinner has a Future and every Saint has a Past

Yesterday, while we were reflecting on the life of St. Monica, we mentioned the waywardness of her son Augustine in the earlier years of his life. The conversion of Augustine was the only prayer request of the mother; and when this was granted, Monica felt fulfilled in life. When we realized that Augustine’s conversion came when he was 33, we understand that nothing is impossible for God to do. Ordinarily at 33, people find it very difficult to change their habits, even when they may want to. Therefore, the conversion of St. Augustine consoles us in our weaknesses that “it is not over yet; God can still do something”. Take up the courage, approach the confessional and allow God’s spirit to do the rest.

Augustine’s conversion also teaches us how we are to return to God. Conversion is never without restitution. When Augustine knew the Lord, he committed his whole being to building the kingdom of God he once destroyed both in his body and in the world. At Tagaste, he established a monastery for himself and his followers and led a life of apostolic poverty in prayer, study and active charity among the poor. Three years later, he was ordained a priest and at 42, he was made Bishop of Hippo. In his 34 years as a bishop, he revitalized the entire African Church and became the Patriarch of monasticism. Through his teaching, he refuted many heresies and set hearts on fire for the Lord. Conversion necessarily demands a change in thinking and acting; we change to embrace HIM from whom we earlier strayed.

From Augustine, we also learn that conversion keeps us humble. Humility, here, means to be patient with the weak, treating them with understanding and love. The sight of the failings of others should not make us pride ourselves around as “the right man/woman standing”, instead, we should look at them with the lens of our own frailty and show genuine compassion. See, every sinner has a future and every saint has a past. If you think you are a saint, use the experience of your past to build the future of your weak neighbour.

Dear friends in Christ, conversion is still possible. Many today have not dared to return to God because they feel the weight of their past sins; guilty conscience hunts them down. Know this, the more you dwell in your past, the more likely and vulnerable you are to repeating it. When God forgives us our sins, He gives us “jara”. The “jara” is the strength to do good and overcome sin. Through the intercession of St. Augustine, may we receive this “jara” through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Remain blessed 🙌