21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear Friends,

We have come to the final Sunday of the Bread of Life Discourse. Now comes the moment of choice: do we believe what Jesus has taught – that he really is the Bread of Life – or do we doubt? And if we doubt, do we then choose to walk away? Thankfully, we have a great witness and example in St. Peter, who recognizes in faith that Jesus really does have the words of eternal life, and even in the face of doubt, it makes sense still to trustingly follow him. If we truly are seeking, we will find.

That is the case of one of our great Saints in the history of the Church who is celebrated this week. St. Augustine lived in the fourth century and was a seeker through the first three decades or so of his life. Eventually, through the preaching of St. Ambrose in Milan, where Augustine had taken a teaching position, he was finally converted to being a disciple of Jesus Christ. He had tried many other things up to that point in life, but it was when he heard the words of eternal life of Jesus transmitted through the ministry of St. Ambrose in a particular way, he knew there was nowhere and no one else to turn. His is a story worth looking up and learning about. In fact, he wrote one of the very first autobiographies of Western literature: The Confessions.

An important aspect of the story of St. Augustine is that he acknowledged his mother as being pivotal in his conversion because of her incessant prayers and tears for him. Intercessory prayer is so important! And it is particularly important, I believe, of parents for their children. Parents, don’t ever stop praying and even making sacrifices for the spiritual well-being of your children! Like St. Ambrose and St. Monica, spiritual father and literal mother of St. Augustine, the example of living the faith is critical for the spiritual growth and solidification of the faith in your children. Get to know the words of eternal life communicated to us only by Jesus Christ, and in a particular way through the most holy Eucharist – his Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity. And teach your children the same!

Saint Monica and St. Augustine, pray for us!

-Fr. Kennell