Reflection
Feast of St. Monica
Today is the Feast of St. Monica. She is one of my dear heavenly friends. St. Monica is the poster child for persistency in prayer. She was married to a pagan man with a violent temper. Yet she prayed earnestly for his conversion and remained faithful and loving. Her example and virtuous living led to the conversion of her husband in both faith and disposition. After his transformation she turned her attention to her oldest son who had fallen prey to all the vices and lies of the world.
Her relentless faith, unwavering intercessory prayer and sacrifice, motherly love and total devotion to her son’s conversion resulted in one of the most devoted, faithful and enlightened minds God has given to the world. St. Monica’s son, St. Augustine of Hippo, left behind his life of skepticism and sin, was baptized and fell in love with Christ at the age of 33.
Saint Augustine went on to become the Bishop of Hippo and one of the greatest Catholic Christian writers and thinkers in the history of the Church. His most well- known works are his Confessions and The City of God. Augustine said that his mother gave birth to him twice; the second time required a lengthy spiritual travail of prayers and tears, but it was crowned at last with the joy of seeing him not only embrace the faith and receive Baptism, but also dedicate himself without reserve to the service of Christ.
St. Monica is considered a model of patience, humility, and perseverance and her life serves as an inspiration for mothers and for all those who seek to deepen their faith in God. She is the patron Saint of mothers, wives, alcoholics and conversion to the faith.
In today’s Gospel Jesus warns us not be hypocritical in our faith, adhering to the rules of the faith without living with love and mercy. Our faith is one that springs from the heart where we encounter our Risen Lord Jesus Christ. This encounter produces a desire to share His incomprehensible love with everyone we encounter, to pray for and sacrifice for the needs and conversion of others and to do so with virtue and patience. Only with Him, through Him and in Him can we accomplish this heroic task.
St. Monica, pray for us that we may lead others to Christ by our devotion, prayers and actions as you did.