Memorial of St. Monica
Our inspiring first reading today is the beginning of St. Paul’s 1st letter to the Corinthians. The apostle may well have written it after his failure to convince anyone in Athens, where he was laughed out of town. Scholars date it to around 52 CE, one of the earliest writings in the New Testament, just behind I Thessalonians & Galatians. Paul’s authentic letters are our earliest writings in the New Testament, predating the Gospels by twenty years or more.
I Corinthians 1:1-9 is a breathtaking passage of grace. Despite the deep flaws and divisions among the Jesus believers in Corinth, Paul is gracious in his greeting, among the most beautiful passages in all the New Testament. Paul puts the Corinthians identity in Christ above all the squalling happening there.
Paul’s opening passage is cherished for many reasons. He praises the community for their giftedness in speech and knowledge. He calls them “saints” and “sanctified in Christ” rather than scolding them for their imperfections. He assures that the Lord will sustain believers to the end, keeping them blameless on the day of Christ Jesus.
Do we catch more flies with honey than we do with vinegar, Paul?
Today we commemorate St. Monica (331-387 CE) and tomorrow her son Augustine. Monica was one of the first saints who did not experience Roman persecutions. Yet she suffered a spiritual martyrdom. Monica’s son Augustine was a hellion who rejected his faith. She is patroness of all parents who struggle when their children leave the church. Eventually her prayers bore fruit and not only was Augustine baptized, but he is considered one of the greatest Western Fathers of the Church, perhaps the greatest of all.
There’s much inspiration to find in the story of Monica and Augustine, and much solace to find in Paul’s enthusiastic embrace of the Corinthian church despite their imperfection. Both Monica and Paul must have shed many tears, while persistent in prayer for those they so dearly loved. Here Paul’s words ring true, “He will keep you firm to the end, irreproachable on the day of the Lord.”
Let us be comforted and encouraged by this.
—Timothy J. Cronin