Homily – May 27, 2009 – St. Augustine of Canterbury

Our saint for today, Augustine of Canterbury was born in Italy in the 6^th century. He was a very capable and holy man from his youth and entered the Benedictine Monastery at St. Andrew's in Rome. In 597 Pope St. Gregory the Great sent Augustine to preach the Gospel in England. He was aided there by King Ethelbert whom he himself baptized. With the help of Ethelbert he was chosen to be the first bishop of Canterbury. Missionary work in England, at that time, was still very treacherous among the still barbaric tribes. But Augustine was successful – with the help of the Holy Spirit – at converting many of them and establishing many dioceses, especially in the kingdom of Kent. He died on May 26, about the year 605.

It is the evangelistic spirit of St. Augustine that needs reflecting upon today. His was the spirit of St. Paul as found in the first reading today. Paul tells the Thessalonians that he and his coworkers "drew courage through God to speak about the Gospel of God with much struggle," and that they preached this gospel "not from delusion or impure motives, or the desire to deceive – but they preached because they were judged worthy by God to be entrust with the Gospel." And so that is how Paul and his companions spoke – and how Augustine of Canterbury later spoke – and how I speak to you today – not trying to please you by flatteringly telling you what you want to hear (so that you will keep putting money in the collection basket): rather telling you what you need to hear for your salvation in a gentle, yet firm when necessary, sort of way. For a really good preacher shares not only the Gospel of God but his very self - because his listeners have become so very dear to him!

In the gospel passage today Jesus is seen touring the towns and villages, much like Augustine did in England – and he saw so many who were in need of so much – needing physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual healing: he saw them as sheep without a shepherd: and his heart was moved to help them. He did all that he could for them but then made his memorable and distinct cry for help, cry for vocations, cry for fellow preachers and healers: THERE IS SO MUCH WORK TO BE DONE WITH THESE LOST AND OFTENTIMES MISGUIDED SHEEP – ASK GOD THE FATHER TO SEND HELP FOR ME – ask God the Father to send priests and bishops and qualified helpers of all sorts to help me tend to these beloved sheep of mine.

The times we live in call for strong, courageous and holy priests; there are still many barbarians on the loose, even in our own country, even in places of authority and honor. In a few weeks begins the "Year of the Priest" as designated by Pope Benedict XVI – let us get into the habit of praying daily for good, strong, holy, healthy and saintly priests – priests who are interested solely in the spiritual lives of and the welfare of the sheep placed in their care – above all personal honor, gain and prestige - so that the quality of Catholic life will be preserved and carried forward for all – and we will all be pleasing in God's sight.

St. Augustine of Canterbury, pray for us!