Wednesday, September 3 : Saint Augustine

The apostle Paul writes : « I was mercifully treated so that in me, as the foremost, Christ Jesus might display all his patience as an example for those who would come to believe in him for everlasting life » (1Tim 1,16). Desiring to show pardon to all, he chose one of his most vicious enemies so that, when they saw him healed, no one would be tempted to despair. Isn’t this just what doctors do? When they have settled somewhere where they are not yet known they first of all single out people who are suffering from incurable illnesses so as to give proof of their kindness and make their skill known. Then each will say to the other: “Go and seek out this particular doctor; I assure you that he made me well again!… I had the same illness as you; I went through the same suffering.” This is what Paul said to each sick person in danger of despairing: “The one who healed me sends me to you, saying: Go and look for that hopeless sick person, tell him of your illness, make known to him the pain from which I cured you… Shout aloud to the despairing: ‘This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners’ (1Tim 1,15). What have you to fear? Why tremble? I myself am ‘the foremost of sinners’. I’m telling this to you, I who have been cured to you who are sick ; I who now stand upright to you who are cast down ; I who today am full of confidence to you who despair. » So don’t let yourself go to pieces. Are you sick? Come to him and you will be healed. Are you blind? Come to him and you will be enlightened… Let everyone say: “Come, let us bow and bend low before him; let us weep before the Lord who made us” (Ps 94[95],6 Vg).
Roman Catholic Ordinary Calendar – rosary,team