Augustine Rose Up (TGH)

Homily - Augustine Rose Up (TGH)

Today, many sons look upon the instruction of their mother with disdain.

These sons are quite happy when their mothers praise them for their worldly success...

But, when they chide them for their moral lapses...

• Or rebuke them for their careless speech...
• Or upbraid them for lack of attention to the things of God...
• Or remind them to seek first the Kingdom of Jesus Christ...

These same sons chafe, and sometimes even speak ill of their mothers!

But, Saint Augustine would have none of this!

In fact, he rose up and blessed his mother — even though she chased him around the world — and praised God for giving him a mother who cherished God in her heart!

"Through Thy mercy, O Lord, this name of my Saviour, Thy Son, had already been drunk in with my mother's milk by my infant heart and profoundly cherished; anything apart from this name, no matter how learned or exquisite or true, could not wholly carry me away."

Today, as we celebrate the Festival Day of Saint Augustine, we should  do no less...

And, give thanks to God for those godly mothers who loved God above all things:

• Above the comforts of this life;
• Above the praise of their friends;
• Even above the approval of their husbands;

The Ancient Sage once said:

Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 

So, today I call you follow Saint Augustine and give thanks to God for those holy women and especially holy mothers...

• Who lived for God
• And called their children to do likewise!

O Saint Augustine, Faithful son of God: Pray for us!

O Saint Monica, Mother of many tears: Pray for us!

O Lord Jesus Christ, Savior of Mankind: Have mercy on us!

— — — — —

She looks well 

to the ways of her household, and does not eat 

the bread of idleness. 

Her children rise up 

and call her blessed; 

her husband also, 

and he praises her: 

"Many women 

have done excellently, 

but you surpass them all." 

Charm is deceitful, 

and beauty is vain, 

but a woman who 

fears the LORD 

is to be praised. 

Give her of the fruit 

of her hands, 

and let her works 

praise her in the gates. 

(Proverbs 31:27-31)