Remembering St Augustine

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Today we celebrate the feast of Saint Augustine who lived from 354 till 430. His life falls into two halves. As a youth, he lived in the darkness of self satisfaction and pleasure. His mother Monica, whose feast was yesterday, prayed constantly for his conversion and finally he found the true light of Jesus and lived as his follower with the same intensity with which he had sought pleasure.

 

He became a great scholar of philosophy and theology and was appointed bishop of Hippo in Northern Africa. Today's gospel from Matthew 25:1-13 combines well with the story of his life. Jesus tells the parable of the ten bridesmaids waiting for the arrival of the bridegroom. They fell into two groups. The wise ones took oil for their lamps but the foolish ones did not. The bridal party came by a round about route receiving greetings from many families along the way. It was late when they arrived and the girls had fallen asleep. it was midnight when they heard the cry, ''The bridegroom is coming" so they began to light their lamps but the foolish ones lacked oil and went off to obtain some. When they arrived back, the door was closed and the feast went on without them.

 

The parable reminds us of the words of Jesus, ''I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.'' Jesus is teaching us to live always in the light of faith so that we will recognize him, the true bridegroom when he comes to us at all hours in our life. Saint Augustine finally opened his heart to receive the light of Jesus and at last lived in peace, saying, ''My heart knows no rest until it rests in you.'' May Jesus, the light of the world, enlighten our hearts with the peace that comes from his love.