Homily for Thursday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time 

–Memorial of Saint Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church:



Introduction 
Someone once joked that confession lines would be very short if people confessed only their own sins—and not their neighbours’! Yet, when Saint Augustine looked at his life, he saw how easy it was to blame others or to justify himself. But grace broke through, and he became one of the greatest saints and teachers in the Church. His story reminds us that God’s grace is stronger than our weakness.

The Word of God

  • 1 Thessalonians 3:7-13 – St. Paul speaks of the joy he receives from the perseverance of the Thessalonian community. He prays that they may “abound in love for one another” and be strengthened in holiness until the coming of Christ. Love and holiness are the fruits of a heart open to God’s grace.

  • Psalm 90 – Reminds us of the brevity of life: “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain wisdom of heart.” Augustine himself echoed this when he said, “You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.”

  • Matthew 24:42-51 – Jesus warns His disciples to stay awake, to be vigilant, because they do not know the day or hour when the Lord will come. A faithful servant is one who remains watchful, living every day in readiness.

Connection of the Readings
The call to perseverance (Thessalonians), wisdom (Psalm), and vigilance (Gospel) is woven together in the life of Saint Augustine. He searched restlessly for truth, wandered in error, but once he encountered Christ, he gave himself entirely to holiness and faithful service as a bishop. Like the faithful steward in the Gospel, he became a shepherd who fed the people of God with wisdom and love.

Reflection Questions

  1. Do I live each day as if it were a gift entrusted to me by God?

  2. How do I persevere in love and holiness even when it feels difficult?

  3. What “restlessness” within me might actually be God calling me to a deeper encounter with Him?

Implications for Daily Living (Jubilee Year & Synod on Synodality)

  • In this Jubilee Year, we are invited to rediscover God’s mercy, just as Augustine discovered it.

  • Synodality reminds us to walk together: Augustine’s conversion was not a solitary journey—his mother Monica’s prayers, Ambrose’s preaching, and the Christian community shaped him. Likewise, we grow holier together.

  • Like Augustine, we are called to allow God’s Word to challenge us, awaken us, and lead us into truth.

Inspiration / Motivation
If Augustine could move from a restless, worldly life to becoming a Doctor of the Church, then no one is beyond the reach of God’s transforming grace. His life is proof that holiness is possible when we surrender to love.

Quote
"Late have I loved You, O Beauty ever ancient, ever new, late have I loved You!" – Saint Augustine

Final Thoughts & Conclusion
We cannot control the day or the hour of Christ’s coming, but we can live each moment in readiness. Augustine teaches us that vigilance is not fear-driven, but love-driven: when we love God above all, we are always prepared.

Concluding Prayer
Lord God, You raised up Saint Augustine to be a shepherd of truth and a witness to grace.
Grant us the wisdom to number our days, the perseverance to remain faithful,
and the love to walk together as Your pilgrim Church.
May our restless hearts always find rest in You.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

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