Vigils Reading

THE TRUE CHRISTIAN

From a treatise by St Augustine

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Let us not flatter ourselves in the mere fact that we are called Christians;

rather, let us believe that we deserve to be judged if we assume a name to which

we have no claim. Or, if there are any who are so unbelieving, so unfaithful, so

persistent, so obstinate, so bold, that they do not fear the imminent anger and

indignation of God the judge, let them at least feel abashed before human

judgments. Let them realize how dull, how foolish, and how senseless they are

considered even by other people, since their vanity and madness are so great

that they take upon themselves a name to which they are not entitled. For, who

is so conceited and so pitiable that he would dare to establish himself as a lawyer

if he is uneducated? Who is so mad and bereft of reason that he would proclaim

himself a soldier if he does not know how to use arms? One does not choose

such a name without reason.

To be called a cobbler, one must repair shoes; to be looked upon as an

artisan or workman, one must produce proof of one’s art; to be recognized as a

trader, one exhibits costly objects originally purchased at a smaller price. From

examples of this sort we realize that there is no name without the corresponding

act and, furthermore, that every name is derived from the antecedent act. Now,

then, are you called a Christian when you perform no distinctively Christian

acts?

The name Christian connotes justice, goodness, integrity, patience,

chastity, prudence, humility, kindliness, innocence and piety; how do you

defend your assumption of that name when your conduct manifests so few out

of so many virtues? One is truly a Christian who is one not in name only but also

in deed; who imitates and follows Christ in all respects; who is holy, innocent,

undefiled, chaste; in whose heart evil finds no room, since this heart is

dominated by piety and by a goodness which, knowing only how to bring help to

all, knows not how to harm or injure anybody.

We are Christians when, according to the example of Christ, we are

accustomed to do good to those who oppose us and to pray for our persecutors

and our enemies rather than to hate them. Whoever is quick to hurt or harm

another person lies when he calls himself a Christian; we are truly Christians

when we can say in all honesty: “I have harmed nobody; I have lived in justice

with all.”