OUR PARTICIPATION IN GOD'S WORK

ST AUGUSTINE, BISHOP, DOCTOR

2 Thess 3:6-10,16-18; Ps 128:1-2,4-5; Mt 23:27-32

The Divine Character of Labour

The Eucharistic celebration is the initiation and the sacramental representation of the Christian life. St. Paul’s concern about work helps us to reflect more on this subject. At the Eucharistic celebration, we bring bread and wine that human hands have made and offer them to God. These gifts represent each of us gathered in our readiness to employ our bodies to fulfil the will of the Father and in imitation of Jesus Christ. As the Psalmist prophesied about him, the Son presented the body he assumed to God: “Sacrifice and oblation you have not desired, but a body you have prepared for me that I may do your will." Thus, the bread and wine represent, in the first place, Jesus Christ, who first took them and presented them to his Father as his body and blood to be offered for our salvation. He thereby commanded us to do the same in memory of him. By taking the work of human hands and offering them in place of his body and blood to the Father, he sanctified our human labour.

Since faith is the necessary condition for our doing the will of the Father, the first work we are to do is to believe in God the Father almighty, in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord, and in the Holy Spirit who dwells within us. This necessary condition or work prepares us to work with God in transforming ourselves and the world into his kingdom. Thus, the temporal works of believers are part and parcel of the divine work that is ongoing through his Son and inspired by the Holy Spirit. Paul’s admonition on work can only make sense in this light. “In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we urge you, brothers, to keep away from any of the brothers who refuse to work or to live according to the tradition we passed on to you.” Paul presented his work and labour as part of the Gospel he preached to the Christian communities he founded. Thus, the Church’s Eucharistic sacrifice starts at the Eucharistic table in the church but continues in the daily works and labours of the Christians. It is from the abundant fruits of the works and labours that the Holy Spirit inspired, which they accomplished in the strength and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that the Christians bring the gifts they offer to God. Thus, their offerings are also fruits of their daily offering to God. Hence, we see that St. Paul linked the duty of Christian work with the duty of living the Christian traditions. So, by our works, we also preach the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

This connection between the offering of ourselves and the Christian works is evident in the Gospel, where our Lord indicts the scribes and Pharisees for their evil works resulting from their refusal to offer themselves to God in believing the word of God. “Alas for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You who are like whitewashed tombs that look handsome on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of corruption.” Because the scribes and Pharisees failed to offer their hearts to God, their works are also not inspired by the Holy Spirit and do not give glory to God. Their works hinder the work of God. “You are the sons of those who murdered the prophets! Very well then, finish off the work that your fathers began.” Augustine’s thoughts and works displeased God in his youth, for he was sunk in worldly philosophy and immorality. His mother’s prayers and tears won him the grace of conversion. He opened his heart to the word of God which truly transformed him by its heavenly light. His mind became so purified, that heavenly inspirations flowed from him as a fountain of clear water. He attuned his whole soul to the Church's liturgical celebrations, that he wept very often when savouring the words of the Psalms and other prayers of the Church. His understanding of the grace of God and how it works with our fallen nature is unique and profound. For this, he is called the Doctor of Grace. His volumes of theological and philosophical works confirm our rumination here that our works and labours extend God’s work.

Let us pray: Renew in your Church, we pray, O Lord, the spirit with which you endowed your Bishop Saint Augustine that, filled with the same spirit, we may thirst for you, the sole fount of true wisdom, and seek you, the author of heavenly love.