Word to the Wise
Thursday, August 28, 2025 - Aug. 28 - St. Augustine, bishop and doctor of the Church
[Col. 3:12-17 and John 17:14-23]Put on, then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. [Colossians]
AUGUST 28 ST. AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO, [bishop and doctor of the church]
The election of Pope Leo XIV has brought a renewed interest in the figure whose feast we celebrate today - St. Augustine of Hippo - because Pope Leo is a friar of the Order of St. Augustine. He is even inviting members of his order to live with him in the papal palace! We Dominicans share the Rule of St. Augustine with other religious orders. St. Augustine's writings continue to shape Roman Catholic theology, even in our day. His teaching on original sin has shaped much of our traditional understanding about baptism! Last but not least, his classic work, The Confessions, has served as a lasting inspiration to young Catholics, especially college students, ever since it was written!
The "Rule of St. Augustine" was written when he had become bishop of Hippo in North Africa. It was intended to create and guide an apostolic Christian community, in contrast to the existing rule of St. Benedict, which is focused on a self-contained monastic community. When St. Dominic sought papal approval for his small group of mobile preachers, he was urged to adopt one of the existing "rules" as the foundation of their life. Since Dominic had been a "Canon of St. Augustine" in Osma, Spain, he was probably most familiar with St. Augustine's rule. The purpose of that rule is enshrined in our Dominican constitutions: "The main reason why we are gathered together in community is that we might live in harmony in the house, of one mind and heart in God." This echoes the words from the Letter to the Colossians which I quoted above.
St. Augustine's enormous output of writings continues to influence our lives as Catholics. But I find one line of his Confessions to be worth always remembering: You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you." AMEN