Saint Augustine: Love, humility, vulnerability

​                                                                                     by Sister Martin de Porres
​

As a new novice Lay Dominican, I am required to contribute to my chapter’s blog. I
chose the month of April, as it came just after Easter Sunday.

​Since discerning to become a Lay Dominican, I have realized three attributes that are
necessary for me to “succeed” as a Lay Dominican and as a Catholic: charity, humility and
vulnerability. I should also add love, as that goes without saying when one calls themselves a
“practicing Catholic.” Or does it? I must admit that it is easier for me to be charitable and
humble than loving. As I get older, “love” has become more difficult for me, in practice and
understanding.

The first selection is from February 18th , taken from Augustine’s Confessions 7, 10:

                                                           The Inner Light

I entered into my inmost self with You, Lord, as my guide; and this I was able to
do because You were my helper. I entered in and saw with the eye of my soul, the
unchangeable Light, very different from earthly lights.
It was above my mind but not the way oil is above water or heaven above the
earth. It was superior because it made me, and I inferior because I was made by it. Those
who know the truth know this light, and those who know it know eternity: it is charity
that knows it.
Prayer: Lord, You are the light of my heart and the bread in the mouth of my soul.
Confessions 1, 13.


I dare say it takes a certain amount of humility and vulnerability, as well as conviction to
see “with the eye of my soul.” What does that mean? However, it is the prayer that encapsulates
the passage, and it is easier for me to access, as I long for the Lord to be the “light of my heart
and the bread in the mouth of my soul.” If that’s what “love” is, then I can do that.
The next selection was taken from February 28th , City of God, 14, 13:
Pride – the beginning of All Sin

No other cause but pride could have been the beginning of our first parents’ evil
will. For pride is the beginning of all sin. What is pride but the desire of a height out of
proportion to our state?

Furthermore, it is a height out of proportion to our state to leave God – to whom
the soul should cling as its basis – and to become to be in some way our own basis.
Prayer: You, Lord, are the unseen power that brings decline upon the proud. Confessions 1, 4.

The above prayer is timely and prescient, as Augustine wrote these words over 1600
years ago. Some like to say that these are “the last days.” The last days of what? Civilization?
Society as we know it? Man has been calling for the “last days” since time immemorial.
However, I do believe (and sense) that humanity is about to hit its nadir, as I don’t believe that
man can become more morally depraved and bankrupt than he has. But then again, humanity has
been down this road before, and before, and before. I now understand “original sin.” We humans
really can’t help ourselves sometimes…most times. “Forgive them, Father, for they know not
what they do.” And, alas, we don’t.

I have become very interested in St. Augustine during my discernment, particularly his
interest in and influence by Aristotle. I am happy to contribute to the Joy of the Just blog, as it
will afford me the opportunity to think critically about my Catholic faith and share my thoughts
and ideas to the world at large. As a Catholic, a Lay Dominican, a Christian, I seek to be “faithful
to the promptings of God.”

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