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Yesterday was the Feast of Saint Monica, who prayed for 17 years for the conversion of her son, Augustine.

Although Augustine finally came to faith, that was only the beginning of his story.

One of his first prayers uttered to the Lord, for example, was this:

“Lord, make me chaste. Just not yet.”

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Augustine felt the burden of faith. 

He understood how deeply faith must move into us, how it should change us, and cause us to leave parts of our old self behind.

In his case, Augustine was being called to live a purer life. 

But what about me? Where is the Lord inviting me into deeper holiness, or asking me to change?

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“Lord, make me chaste. Just not yet.”

We can all be guilty of Augustine’s prayer in some form.

Lord, make me humble. Lord, make me less judgmental. Lord, make me more patient. Lord, take away my temper.

Just not yet.

Procrastination in the spiritual life never pays off. It only postpones the joy the Lord has in store for us.

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May the same Spirit who converted Saint Augustine convert us, because the more we live like Jesus, the more fulfilled we become.

I’m sure we all love someone who’s strayed far from the Church and from the Lord. It may be a parent, a spouse, a child, or a friend. But we all know someone who doesn’t find comfort in faith. 

Today, in particular, is our day to pray for them, because it’s the feast of Saint Monica.

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Saint Monica is the patroness of mothers, married women, and alcoholics.

She never had it easy. Her husband imposed his unbelief upon their children. He was also unfaithful to her in marriage.  

But Monica never gave up on him – or on her children. 

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We know the story of one of her children, in particular, Augustine of Hippo.

Like his father, Augustine was a restless, wayward youth who caused his mother to worry constantly. He was immensely talented but saw no need for faith.

For 17 years, Monica prayed for his conversion – and shortly before her death her prayer was answered.

Augustine not only became a Catholic. He was also ordained a priest and later a bishop.

He wrote extensively about his Catholic faith, in particular, in his famous autobiography, Confessions.

He remains one of the most influential Catholic writers the Church has ever known.

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On her deathbed, Monica asked one thing of her son: “That you remember me at the altar of the Lord wherever you may be.”

That’s something we can all do for our loved ones – remember them here at the altar of the Lord.

May the Lord draw them – and us – ever closer to himself. 

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I’m sure many of us remember the Disney classic, Beauty and the Beast. 

One of the main characters, Gaston, seemed to have everything a person could want – good looks, lots of money, a great singing voice, and plenty of human praise.

All the girls in town thought he was debonair… Except Belle, the one girl he wanted. 

Belle saw right through Gaston’s appearance. Although he was attractive on the outside, he was ugly within. He was self-centered and arrogant.

And so, she was unimpressed.

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Jesus says something similar about the scribes and the Pharisees. 

Like Gaston, they wear nice garments, they’re smart, many of them are rich, and they love to be recognized. 

But Jesus sees through their appearance. Though attractive on the outside, they’re corrupt within.

“All of their works are performed to be seen,” he says. They don’t care about other people. Ultimately, they aren’t even interested in God.

They only care about themselves.

So, if nice religious garments, knowledge of the Law, and public acts of penance don’t impress Jesus, then what does?

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“The greatest among you must be your servant,” he says. 

That person is beautiful and praiseworthy in God’s eyes. The one who is humble; the servant. 

How, then, can we be servants for those in need today?

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(Jesus washing his disciples’ feet.)