Serving With Humility, reflection on Thursday of 21st week in Ordinary time year C

Thursday of 21st week in Ordinary Time Year C

Memorial of St. Augustine, Bishop and Doctor Of The Church

First Reading: 1 Thessalonians 3:7-13

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 90:3-4,12-13.14 and 17 (R. 14)

Gospel Reading: Matthew 24:42-51

Reflection Theme: Serving With Humility

Yesterday, the church was celebrating the life St. Monica of Hippo and her prayerful motherhood and servant leadership. Today we are invited to reflect on the profound influence of st. Monica to her son st. Augustine who through his life demonstrated what most of us are; proud and not ready to do the lord’s work no matter the persuasion.

In our Gospel reading from Matthew 24:42-51, we are reminded about impact on unwavering faith, persistent prayer and humble service to God and all humanity. St. Augustine, who we celebrate today is an example of such leader and teacher of faith through his various notable works, ranging from City of God and Confessions.

He served the City of Hippo in the present day Algeria as its Bishop from 396 AD to his death in 430 AD. During his time as a bishop, he wrote extensively and defended the christian faith against heresies as earlier mentioned. Through doing so, he is remembered as greatest of all church fathers and his life has influenced Christians both catholic and protestants in their approach to the work of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us turn now to the first Reading from the first epistle of St. Paul To the Thessalonians. St. Paul, aware of the distress and affliction the church in Thessalonian conveys his genuine care, concern and spiritual encouragement. Paul tries to find their faith and prays to see them face-to-face in order to help them iron out what is lacking in their faith. 

Paul requires them to grow in love for one another and also of God as they seek spiritual growth. HE tells them, they should be established in heart unblamable in holiness before God at the coming of our lord Jesus Christ.

Paul writes, “may the lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all men” [cf 1thessalonians 3:12] in so doing he meant that they should not only grow in love but also demonstrate it selflessly. 

St. Augustine, Through his writings, has shown us on how relevant the st. Paul epistle is to all who serve in the lords vineyard. Everyone should demonstrate similar care and concern for his flock as St. Paul and St. Augustine is for the church in Thessalonian and City of Hippo respectively.

St. Augustine writings often emphasised on the importance of love and charity in the christian living as St. Paul requests the Church of Thessalonian to abound in love.

In the Gospel reading, Jesus gives a short parable of a servant put incharge of the household. Jesus gives a brief contrast between a faithful servant who would remain committed to the work given to him by his master and would do so consistently. The second servant is full of himself and takes his masters place since the master is delayed. We are told that he begins to beat his fellow servants and eat and drink with the drunken. 

In the Gospel reading we are required to be be prepared for the lords return and remain faithful and wise in the choices we are presented with. In normal life scenario, we have chance to do good even though doing the opposite is easier. We can be kind and charitable to others even though telling those who need our help “NO’ seems an obvious choice. We can love the other people even when we are aware they don’t love us. Jesus reminds us that No one knows the hour or time when the son of man will return. 

Jesus reminds us to be Vigilant and be accountable for the responsibilities given to us as pastors and teachers of faith. He asserts that neglection ones duty and engaging in sinful behaviour will have consequences.

St. Augustine emphasised on living a life of prayer, contemplation and service as way of being prepared for God’s Call. As it is in the Augustinian Rule, faithfulness,responsibility and accountability in serving others is important in living out one’s vocation. In various writings of st. Augustine whom we celebrate his memorial today, he warns against the dangers of complacency and spiritual laxity and emphasize on spiritual vigilance and focus on journey to eternal glory .

Therefore, st. Augustine is a clear example of Humility and servant-leadership. If you read about his biography, you will understand about his previous positions in the Curia of the emperor as an orator. His vast understanding on matters of Politics and philosophy and during his time this was prestigious. However he went down and became a Bishop of a small city of Hippo, remaining humble and grounded.

Do we acknowledge our own struggles and weakness as st. Augustine would do as it is seen in numerous writings? Are we the kind of people who would act strong for people to see and not share for others to understand on how best they can help? We are all broken, if its not about substance abuse, it sexual infidelities. This alone has remained the place where we find ingenuousness as people in the world today display cosmetically to cover the daily struggles.

St. Augustine was genuinely on the struggles he had with sin and doubt. We all are. Every single one of us and we need to be honest about it and that is a step closer to being humble. St. Augustine was committed to serve others and that includes advocate for the poor, marginalized and those struggling with spiritual doubts. He prioritized spiritual growth from the time of his conversion rather than personal ambition or recognition.

As we celebrate the life of one Doctors of the Church, we are invited to cultivate sense of humility, priotize serving others and to focus solely on spiritual growth as we remain vigilant and faithful as we wait in faithful hope of the second coming of Our lord Jesus Christ.

Reflection by Felix Kilonzo