Bishop Theologian!

Wednesday, August 28, 2024

The Feast of St. Augustine!

2 Thess 3:6-10,16-18; Mt 23:27-32

Today we celebrate the feast of St. Augustine, one of the major figures in Christian theology. 

St. Augustine’s theology has been so influential that even today, we rely on Augustine for his theological wisdom on grace, sin, free will, trinity, baptism, etc. 

Thanks to his theological genius, Augustine is one of the Doctors of the Church and is also known as the ‘Doctor of Grace.’

The Bishop of Hippo, St. Augustine, had a loving concern for the laity as well as for priests and religious. His teachings on the laity ran closely parallel to those of Vatican Council II. 

Augustine’s sermons and writings were highly theological but profoundly pastoral. 

For instance, we can understand Augustine’s theological depth and pastoral care through his statement: ‘For you, I am a bishop, but with you, I am a Christian.’ 

The genius of Augustine perfectly blended two theological concepts, namely the People of God and the Mystical Body of Christ, in one statement. 

While the term ‘People of God’ comprises all who are baptized into the community of believers, the term ‘Mystical Body’ allows for distinctions and differences among the various members of the Body of Christ, each with a specific function. 

As such, though he is a Christian by virtue of his baptism, he is their bishop by virtue of his ordination to oversee the Christian community. 

He considered his status as a Christian for his own benefit. But he taught that his capacity as a bishop is for the benefit of the community. 

This is how the brilliance of St. Augustine explained the theological concepts in close conformity to the pastoral context. 

It is no exaggeration to say that the idea of ‘Bishop Theologian’ closely imitates the person and life of St. Augustine himself. 

Let us pray that we may be inspired by St. Augustine’s theological erudition to excel in our pastoral ministry. 

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar