commonly called Whitsunday
Homily of Augustin on Psalm CXLV
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O GOD, who as at this time didst teach the hearts of thy faithful people, by sending to them the light of thy Holy Spirit; Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through the merits of Christ Jesus our Saviour, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.
Psalms 48, 68 | 104, 145
Homily of Augustine on Psalm CXLV
The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him,
to all that call upon him in truth.
Comment
Augustine wrote in today's homily on Psalm 145:
"The Lord is nigh unto all that call upon Him" Where then is that, "Then shall they call upon Me, and I will not hear them"? See then what follows: "all who call upon Him in truth." For many call upon Him, but not in truth. They seek something else from Him, but seek not Himself. Why lovest thou God? "Because He hath made me whole." That is clear: it was He that made thee so. For from none else cometh health, save Him. "Because He gave me," saith another, "a rich wife, whereas I before had nothing, and one that obeyeth me." This too He gave: thou sayest true. "He gave me," saith another, "sons many and good, He gave me a household, He gave me all good things." Dost thou love Him for this?...Therefore if God is good, who hath given thee what thou hast, how much more blessed wilt thou be when He hath given thee Himself! Thou hast desired all these things of Him: I beseech thee desire of Him Himself also. For these things are not truly sweeter than He is, nor in any way are they to be compared to Him. He then who preferreth God Himself to all the things which he has received, whereat he rejoiceth, to the things he has received, he "calleth upon God in truth."...
Augustine speaks of a certain Truth embraced then and today by the orthodox and catholic Church. There are many pretenders nowadays claiming that the Holy Spirit has done this or that new thing. They claim he has come down to guide us away from the errors of the Church for two millennium to truths that look a whole lot like secular-humanist ideas of the 20th century. Their "gospel" sounds different and counter to that which the fathers of the Church have held from generation to generation.
I think these folk miss the mark, for they do not call upon God in truth, but rather in vanity. They do not seek him, but seek approval of their will. The only spirit they invoke is the "spirit of the age". They blaspheme the Holy Ghost. Suffice it to say that God is not fickle. He does not speak and act to one generation one way, and in a completely different way to another generation. Cultures may change, but his word stands forever (Is 40:8). Those who worship him in Truth do so in accord with the faith once given and which Augustine addresses here. It is the same Truth that those who gathered in the Upper Room held when God sent his Holy Ghost upon them in power. So if you hear a claim that the Holy Spirit has come down and is doing something new, take it with a grain of salt; search the scriptures, search the fathers, consider possible hidden agendas of them who put forth such claims, and call upon God in Truth.
May the Comforter be with you, who do call upon God in Truth this day; and may those who are lost seek that Truth diligently in the Catholic Churches of Christ.
Finis
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Released by Primus PilusLegio Christi-Ecclesia Militans
"Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another" [St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans 14:19]
* ORDO CENTURIONUM * IN HOC SIGNO VINCES * TIME DEUM ET OPERARE IUSTITIAM
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