The Memorial of St Augustine of Canterbury

THE MEMORIAL OF ST AUGUSTINE OF CANTERBURY: Acts 16:11-15, Jn 15:26-16:4. There are three points we can extract from today’s readings. The first point is how the Lord takes delight in His people as today's Psalm reminds us. We are graciously loved by God’s Fatherly good-will. Today's Gospel takes us to the second point: Jesus promises us that at moments of special need we can rely on the great “Helper,” the Paraclete or Advocate, that is, the Holy Spirit. We see in the interaction of Paul and Lydia the third point on how God blesses and helps us through one another. We are meant to be inter-dependent, to form a community of mutual love, care and assistance. After crossing to Macedonia, Paul began a peaceful phase of his ministry. On reaching the city of Philippi, he was kindly received by a wealthy businesswoman named Lydia, who offered her home.

We have all been graced in various ways by the Lord. Augustine of Canterbury whose memorial we celebrate was graced by the Lord and the examples of his life became a source of inspiration for us. Augustine was a great missionary who was sent by Pope Gregory the Great to begin the effort of the re-Christianisation of the land later-on known as England, after decades of pagan invasions that destroyed much of the earlier Christian communities there. His dedication and commitment to the Lord is an example for us, in how we should act in ways that follow the Lord’s path. We are challenged to be fruitful as Christians, devoting our time, effort and attention to be loving, committed and Christ-like in our words and actions, in all the things we do, so that our lives will truly be filled with the fruits of God’s love and grace.

May the Lord bless us and continue to guide us in the right path! Amen!! Good morning and have a fruitful week!!!

Revd Fr Samuel Frederick.