Maegan- Happy Feast Day!

Today, in a way, is everyone's Feast day! Why? Because today is the Feast of St. Augustine,

and if Augustine can become a Saint, then anyone can!

For most of my life, I have been fascinated by the Saints and their stories, but I knew of them almost like fairy tales. It was difficult for me to understand that they were real people. I think one of the gifts of the modern age (like I've mentioned before) is that through technology we have access to the stories of Saints right at our fingertips. And, more recently, we have been blessed to witness the canonization of a man who actually LIVED during our lifetime: St. John Paul II. Suddenly, with the canonization of JPII, Sainthood has become so real to me - more than just nursery tales - because I knew and loved that man as a living priest and shepard in our Church, and now he is a Saint! Now, the skeptics of JPII are few because most people can agree that he lived an extraordinary life of holiness throughout most of his life. Augustine, however; is a Saint from the other side of camp. :)

Do you know the story of Augustine? In brief, his modern day motto could have been: "YOLO!" (You Only Live Once... a mantra for those not wanting to miss out on more worldly experiences like sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll for those of you who have been wondering what the heck "YOLO" is). Augustine loved himself some boos, broads, and... de-bauchery! His poor, fierce, devoted mother, St. Monica, prayed for her son's conversion for 40 years! (Tangent: I get tired of praying the same intention for like a week! 40 years? No wonder she's a Saint!) After all those years of throwing himself into every other possible thing he could find, seeking happiness and fulfillment practically in every other corner or the world, Augustine realized his thirst was still not satiated. "Our hearts our restless until they rest in you, Oh God." Augustine put to words what each of us knows in our hearts: that God is our ultimate fulfillment, whether we want to acknowledge it, or not.

Today, we celebrate this wonderful Saint because, frankly, if that sinner can allow God to conquer his lust, addictions, pride, etc. and transform him into one of the most profound Saints in the history of the world- then I've got a fighting chance too!

I love Augustine for his honesty with himself, and the Lord. I think THAT is where his sanctity was accomplished: in his honest wrestling with his own humanity.

"Lord, make me a Saint, but not yet."

St. Augustine, pray for us!
Let us pray...

"O Beauty ancient, O beauty new. Late have I loved Thee and feebly, yet do. Though you were with me I was not with You, then You shone Your face and I was blind no more. 

My heart searches restlessly, and finds no rest 'til it rests in Thee. O Seeker, You sought for me. Your love has found me, I am taken by Thee. 

I searched this world and chased its finer things, yet were these not in You they could not have been. My ceaseless longing hid the deeper truth: in all my desirings I was desiring you. 

Lord, in my deafness You cried out to me. I drew my breath and now Your fragrance I breathe. O, Font of Life You are forever the same. O, Fire of Love, come set me aflame!

("Prayer of Augustine" Ed Conlin) 

Michael- Martyrdom, Perseverance, Faith

You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed.  By your perseverance you will secure your lives."  (Luke 21: 17-19)

Today we celebrate one of my favorite saints, Maximilian Kolbe.  Saint Maximilian was a priest from Poland who during World War II offered himself to save another.  While imprisoned in Auschwitz, he asked to die in place of another prisoner who had a family.  Martyrdom was this act of love that Father Kolbe performed.



The Gospel of Luke speaks of persecution and death for the followers of Jesus.  However, Jesus affirms that his followers would not be harmed.  The promise of this protection speaks of the eternal reward of Heaven.  The reality of martyrdom for the early Christians was ever present in their minds, but the love for God and the mission of the Church was stronger than fear of persecution, even death.  Pope Francis recently said that the Apostles “even saw their persecution as a badge of honor that made them capable of following in the footsteps of Jesus and to be like Him, bearing witness to Him with their lives.”

 

Today, martyrdom is very much a reality for many Christians around the world.  Religious Persecution is occurring globally.   We see this happening more evidently in Iraq.  In May 2013, Archbishop Tomasi from Vatican Radio reported that an estimated 100,000 Christians are killed every year for their faith, which is roughly 250-300 Christian martyrs dying for the faith every day.  Some theologians have said martyrdom is not always obtained by bloodshed.   The term white martyrdom has been coined for those who have accepted and offered up to God other forms of tremendous suffering without undergoing a violent death.  St. Thérèse of Lisieux and St. John Paul II would be examples of such martyrs.

 

Martyrs do not negotiate the faith.  They persevere and stand firm.  When we are called to witness, what is our faith like?  Is it strong or is it watered down?  As I have previously said in past letters, discipleship is not easy.  It comes with crosses to bear, but Christ’s graces are ever present for us to accept.  Pope Francis suggests this daily prayer:

 

"Lord, thank you so much for my faith. Preserve my faith, increase it. May my faith be strong and courageous.”