#theconfessionsbookVIII

[anastpaul]

Thought for the Day – The Memorial of St Simplician – 15 August

“Augustine and Simplician, sons of Milan, followers of Christ”

“Another great name enters Milan’s rich story in 384, that of the man who became St Augustine.   In 384 he was not yet a saint.   But he was a man who was searching, probing and asking questions, testing the spirits that drove him.   First he found Ambrose, who “welcomed me as a father would and like a good bishop approved of my journeying,” according to his Confessions.   Still, he was not ready to accept the Christian faith and way of life.   But Ambrose could not be the spiritual director he needed.

Augustine had gotten through his doctrinal doubts and he “liked the Way, which was our Saviour, though the tight and narrow parts of that way” annoyed him.   So God put it in his mind to go to Simplician, “whom I considered to be your good servant and your grace shone in him.   I heard that since his youth he lived most devoted to you.”   Now he had grown old and to Augustine he seemed to have become a great expert in studying God’s ways.   “And so he was! So I wanted to share with him my inner turmoil so he might teach me how best I, as I was, could walk in your ways.”

That is quite an endorsement!   From one saint-to-be about a wise and holy mentor, guide, companion on the road.   One intently searching, the other guiding that search.   We all need help from time as we make our authentic way. Maybe it can sound trite, an easy image, our life as a journey or pilgrimage, our walking the camino to a holy goal. But it speaks a deep truth.“…(Fr Edward W Schmidt S.J.)

St Simplician, Sts Augustine & Ambrose, pray for us!

(via AnaStpaul – Breathing Catholic)

[anastpaul]

One Minute Reflection – 15 August

The Confessions – Book VIII – St Augustine’s Conversion to Christ.   Augustine is deeply impressed by Simplicianus’ story of the conversion to Christ of the famous orator and philosopher, Marius Victorinus.   He is stirred to emulate him but finds himself still enchained by his incontinence and preoccupation with worldly affairs.   He is then visited by a court official, Ponticianus, who tells him and Alypius the stories of the conversion of Anthony and also of two imperial “secret service agents.”   These stories throw him into a violent turmoil, in which his divided will struggles against himself.   He almost succeeds in making the decision for continence but is still held back.   Finally, a child’s song, overheard by chance, sends him to the Bible;  a text from Paul resolves the crisis;  the conversion is a fact.   Alypius also makes his decision and the two inform the rejoicing Monica.

“For I am the LORD, your God, who grasp your right hand; It is I who say to you, Do not fear, I will help you.”….Isaiah 41:13

REFLECTION – “And Thou didst put it into my mind and it seemed good in my own sight, to go to Simplicianus, who appeared to me a faithful servant of Thine and Thy grace shone forth in him.   I had also been told that from his youth up he had lived in entire devotion to Thee.   He was already an old man and because of his great age, which he had passed in such a zealous discipleship in Thy way, he appeared to me likely to have gained much wisdom–and, indeed, he had.   From all his experience, I desired him to tell me–setting before him all my agitations–which would be the most fitting way for one who felt as I did to walk in thy way.”…St Augustine (From the Confessions – Book VIII – Chapter 1)

PRAYER – “Go on, O Lord and act: stir us up and call us back;  inflame us and draw us to Thee;  stir us up and grow sweet to us;  let us now love Thee, let us run to Thee.   Are there not many men … who, out of a deeper pit of darkess,.. return to Thee–who draw near to Thee and are illuminated by that light which gives those who receive it power from Thee to become Thy sons? “… (St Augustine – From the Confessions Book VIII – Chapter IV)  St Simplician, pray for us, Amen.

(via AnaStpaul – Breathing Catholic)