Homily, Mass for the Fifty-fifth Anniversary of St. Augustine Parish
Votive Mass of a Doctor of the Church
August 23, 2025
Readings: 1 Kgs. 3:11-14; Ps. 16; 1 Jn. 4:7-16; Mt. 23:1-12
Introduction
When Father Ray first invited me to come here for the celebration of the parish’s fifty-fifth anniversary, I thought it was a bit of an unusual request in that it was not one of those milestone anniversaries such as a golden anniversary or a centennial. I thought it more appropriate to invite me for a more auspicious occasion. But then he explained to me that it’s actually a delayed celebration of the parish’s fiftieth anniversary, which could not take place at the time due to the Covid pandemic. As it turns out, this was actually providential, because now we celebrate this happy occasion under the leadership of a Pope who has the same patron saint as this parish – Pope Leo, of course, being an Augustinian friar.
Wisdom in Asking
To mark the occasion, then, we celebrate this Votive Mass for a Doctor of the Church. St. Augustine is known as the “Doctor of Grace,” given the extensive theology about God’s grace which he has bequeathed to the Church. During his time there was an idea circulating and gaining popularity that the work of our salvation was something that we can do on our own, as if we ourselves could earn our own way to heaven. Augustine knew that we are utterly dependent on God; without Jesus Christ and the working of his grace in our lives, salvation is impossible.
This title, “Doctor of the Church,” points to someone who is a teacher, someone from whom we can learn not only by word but also by example. That is, a person of wisdom. Appropriately enough, then, we hear about Solomon’s prayer to God after being invited by God to ask for anything he wanted. Solomon already had a natural inclination to wisdom, because he knew what to ask for: not riches or power or prosperity, but the gift of wisdom. This already indicates the first step in the path to wisdom: humility. He was not thinking of himself, but of what would serve him best in serving God’s people as their king. And because of this, God rewarded him abundantly, even beyond what he asked for.
There is also an important lesson here about the meaning of prayer of petition. When we ask God for something, we can easily think of God as a dispenser of whatever it is we desire. But when Jesus tells us, “Ask and you will receive,” it presumes that we know what to ask for. Not only that, but the right intention in prayer goes hand-in-hand with his commandment to pray constantly. It is not a transactional sort of a thing, whereby we ask and God gives. God often leaves us to ask repeatedly, over a long period of time. And St. Augustine in his wisdom gives us some insight here, too, for he teaches us that our persistence in prayer of petition prepares us for the good things that God wants to give us. We need the wisdom to know what to ask for, and the patience to wait for it. When God does not answer immediately it is because He wants us to continue asking Him, so that our desire for what we ask grows, and we thereby become capable of receiving it and truly appreciating it. It all comes down to trust and utter dependence upon God.
Christian Governance
Notice how starkly all this contrasts with the scribes and Pharisees we hear about in the Gospel reading for today’s Mass. This is the beginning of the twenty-third chapter of St. Matthew’s Gospel, and the entire chapter is a diatribe of our Lord against the vices of these leaders of the people. We will be hearing from this chapter for the next several days at the celebration of the weekday Masses. The problem with the scribes and the Pharisees is that they were consumed with self-importance, their worldly status, and wielding power over others. This is the attitude that contradicts the proper disposition for prayer of petition, for it is completely self-referential, only looking to what one gets out of it for oneself and not thinking about the good of the other. And this is especially dangerous for someone in a position of authority.
Here we can gain some wisdom from St. Augustine’s first spiritual son in the Church today, Pope Leo. In writing about Church governance inspired by his spiritual father, Pope Leo tells us that there is no room in St. Augustine’s concept of authority for one who is self-seeking and in search of power over others. Rather, authority must be exercised in looking only to the good of the community. Humility must always be the first virtue of anyone entrusted with authority.
When I think about all that has been accomplished here at St. Augustine’s parish over these last fifty-five years, I can see an extension to this teaching that Pope Leo gives us: these virtues of humility and self dis-interest and seeking the good of the community are really necessary for anyone who would wish to participate in Church life at any level and in any role.
Parish Stewardship
I think about the building of this church and the later renovation of the sanctuary space. I think of the building of the hall. Most especially I think of the building of the faith life of the community, with the large and vibrant religious education program and numerous other ministries made possible by you, the parishioners, living your faith for the good of the community in the work of the Gospel. This all happens because parishioners are living their faith as faithful stewards of God’s gifts.
Living the spirituality of stewardship is what makes this possible; it makes possible all the works of the Church because it is living the communion that we share as members of the Body of Christ, communion with each other in and under our head, Jesus Christ our Lord. Communion, after all, means the sharing of the blessings that God has given us, spiritual as well as temporal: our faith and the truths of our faith; the Church’s liturgy and our life of prayer and devotion; the blessings of time, talent and treasure; of the earth, our “common home” as Pope Francis so fondly referred to it; even our very bodies. All of these are gifts from God, meant to be used for God’s purposes in such a way that we give God a return, a return in the form of the spreading of His love, healing and peace. This means that stewardship manifests itself in many different ways, in intangible as well as in visible, tangible, concrete ways. I think, for example, of how the parish pulled together after the horrific attack on the church early last year. It is a testament to the faith life of the parishioners and to the leadership with which you have been blessed.
On that score I must express my thanks to the pastors and other clergy who have ministered here over these last fifty-five years. In particular, my very sincere thanks go to your current pastor, Father Ray, for his leadership here, and not only that, but also in our Archdiocese. He has been not only an exemplary and deservedly respected pastor, but also a valued collaborator in many ways who has a real heart for his brother priests and has been a positive influence all throughout our local church. It is together, though, that we can encourage, support and inspire each other in living these values of the Gospel. It is only by each of us living our own personal vocations in a way that will bring us to the wisdom that God wants to give us that we will make the Church effective in fulfilling her mission of making disciples of all the nations.
Conclusion
I believe we are seeing in our own time, very recently in our history, a more serious turning toward spirituality. People are yearning for something of true, deep and lasting value. May you, the parish of St. Augustine, continue the legacy you have received, preparing yourselves for the good things that God wants to give you so that you can then in turn share them with others, taking advantage of this new opportunity God has given us for evangelization. For the glory of God and the salvation of souls. Amen!
