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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260505
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UID:14878-1777939200-1778025599@laycisterciansofgethsemani.org
SUMMARY:Vigils Reading
DESCRIPTION:A reading from \nST AUGUSTINE \n◊◊◊ \nYour Graces will have noticed when the book of the Acts of the Apostles \nwas being read that Paul was talking at Athens. The Athenians enjoyed a great \nreputation among other peoples for every kind of learning. The city was the \nnative home of great philosophers. From it had spread through the rest of \nGreece and other countries of the world a complex variety of philosophies. \nThat’s where the Apostle was talking\, that’s where he was proclaiming Christ \ncrucified\, to the Jews indeed a stumbling block\, to the nations folly; but to \nthose who are called\, Jews and Greeks alike\, Christ the power of God and the \nwisdom of God. \nWhen he finished his address and they heard mention of the resurrection \nof the dead\, which is the most distinctive point of the faith of Christians\, some of \nthem scoffed\, while others said\, We will hear you again on this matter. \nNow\, there is one overriding concern common to all philosophers within \nwhich they divide up into five different sets of special opinions. In common\, all \nphilosophers strive by dedication\, investigation\, discussion\, by their way of life\, \nto lay hold of the blessed life. This is their one reason for philosophizing; but I \nrather think the philosophers also have this in common with us. I mean\, if I were \nto ask you why you became Christians\, every single one of you would answer me \ntruthfully: ‘For the sake of the blessed life.’ \nTherefore the urge for the blessed life is common to philosophers and \nChristians\, and I would even say common to the whole human race. People who \nare good\, after all\, are good in order to be happy\, and those who are bad would \nnot be bad unless they hoped they would thereby be made happy. \nNow set before your eyes Epicureans\, Stoics\, and the Apostle; that is: \nEpicureans\, Stoics\, and Christians. Let’s first question the Epicureans on what \nthing it is that makes life happy. They answer\, ‘Bodily pleasure.’ The Stoic \nanswers: ‘A virtuous mind.’ The Christian: ‘The gift of God.’ And so brethren\, in \nfront of our very eyes Epicureans and Stoics are debating with the Apostle\, and \nteaching us by their debate what we should reject and what we ought to choose. \nA virtuous mind is something very praiseworthy; but tell me\, Stoic\, where \ndo you get it from? It is not really your virtuous mind that makes you happy\, but \nthe one who has given you virtue\, who has inspired you to desire it\, and granted \nyou the capacity for it. There is no life that deserves the name\, to be called life\, \nbut a blessed life; and there can be no blessed life that is not eternal. This is what \neverybody wants: truth and life. \nBut how is one to get to such a great possession\, such a grand fortune? The \nphilosophers have worked out for themselves ways that go wrong. They have \nmissed the true way\, because God opposes the proud. We would also miss it\, \nunless it had come to us. That’s why the Lord says\, I am the way… \nThis is the doctrine of Christians; certainly not something to be set beside \nthe doctrines of the philosophers\, but to be set incomparably above them\, \nwhether the sordid one of the Epicureans\, or the arrogant one of the Stoics.
URL:https://laycisterciansofgethsemani.org/event/vigils-reading-427/
CATEGORIES:Vigils Readings
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