On Thursday of the Fourteenth week in Ordinary Time our Church invites us to reflect on a scripture passage from the first book of Chronicles (22:5-19) entitled ”David prepares the building of the temple”. Our treasure, which follows, is from an exposition of psalm 118 by Saint Ambrose, bishop

Saint Ambrose was born of a Roman family at Trier about the year 340. He studied at Rome and served in the imperial government at Sirmium. In 374, while, living in Milan, he was elected bishop of the city by popular acclaim and ordained on December 7. He devotedly carried out his duties and especially distinguished himself by his service to the poor, and as an effective pastor and teacher of the faithful. He strenuously guarded the laws of the church and defended orthodox teaching by writings and actions against the Arians. He died on Holy Saturday, April 4, 397. Saint Ambrose is a Doctor of the Church.

Saint Ambrose's exposition of Psalm 118 focuses on the spiritual life and the virtues of humility and wisdom. He interprets the psalm as a guide for moral and spiritual growth, highlighting the importance of constant prayer, a tranquil soul, and a receptive heart to Christ's presence. 

Ambrose emphasizes that believers should always be in a state of prayer, not just at specific times. He connects this to the idea of keeping one's soul open to Christ, like a door, allowing him to enter and dwell within. Ambrose sees the soul as God's temple, with its own doors and gates. He urges believers to open these to Christ, allowing him to enter and fill them with his grace and light. Ambrose uses the image of the sun to represent Christ, the source of light and truth. He contrasts the setting of the physical sun with Christ's perpetual light, which shines on those who desire it. 

The psalm, according to Ambrose, is a guide to humility and spiritual maturity. He sees it as a path to progress from a childish, unlearned mind to advanced wisdom and prudence. Ambrose sees the psalm as having both moral and mystical dimensions. He emphasizes the importance of both moral living and understanding the deeper, symbolic meanings of the text. 

Ambrose highlights the idea that Christ dwells within the believer, especially when the soul is open and receptive. This is achieved through faith, which is the door through which Christ enters. Ambrose refers to the Church as having "two eyes," representing the mystical and the moral aspects of faith. He connects the psalm to the Church's teachings and its role in guiding believers. 

Ambrose views the Psalms, and particularly Psalm 118, as a place where believers can exercise and develop their spiritual muscles, growing in virtue and understanding.

In essence, Ambrose's interpretation of Psalm 118 is a comprehensive guide to Christian living, emphasizing the importance of an open heart, a life of prayer, and the pursuit of both moral and mystical understanding.

 The Books of Chronicles record in some detail the lengthy span (some five hundred fifty years) from the death of King Saul to the return from the exile. Unlike today’s history writing, wherein factual accuracy and impartiality of judgment are the norm, biblical history, with rare exceptions, was less concerned with reporting in precise detail all the facts of a situation than with drawing out the meaning of those facts. Biblical history was thus primarily interpretative, and its purpose was to disclose the action of the living God in human affairs. For this reason, we speak of it as “sacred history.”

These characteristics are apparent when we examine the primary objective of the Chronicler (the conventional designation for the anonymous author) in compiling his work. Given the situation which confronted the Jewish people at this time (the end of the fifth century B.C.), the Chronicler realized that Israel’s political greatness was a thing of the past. Yet, for the Chronicler, Israel’s past held the key to the people’s future. In particular, the Chronicler aimed to establish and defend the legitimate claims of the Davidic monarchy in Israel’s history, and to underscore the status of Jerusalem and its divinely established Temple worship as the center of religious life for the Jewish people. If Judaism was to survive and prosper, it would have to heed the lessons of the past and devoutly serve its God in the place where he had chosen to dwell, the Temple in Jerusalem. From the Chronicler’s point of view, the reigns of David and Solomon were the ideal to which all subsequent rule in Judah must aspire. The Chronicler was much more interested in David’s religious and cultic influence than in his political power, however. He saw David’s (and Solomon’s) primary importance as deriving rather from their roles in the establishment of Jerusalem and its Temple as the center of the true worship of the Lord. Furthermore, he presents David as the one who prescribed the Temple’s elaborate ritual and who appointed the Levites to supervise the liturgical services there.

On Wednesday of the Fourteenth week in Ordinary Time our Church invites us to reflect on a scripture passage from the second book of Samuel (24:1-4, 10-18, 24b-25) entitled ”The census of the people and the building of the altar”. Our treasure, which follows, is from the ancient document entitled “The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles.

The Didache meaning “Teaching” is the short name of a Christian manual compiled before 300AD. The full title is The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles. Some Christians thought Didache was inspired, but the church rejected it when making the final decision which books to include in the New Testament.

Didache contained instructions for Christian groups; and its statement of belief may be the first written catechism. It has four parts: the first is the “Two Ways, the Way of Life and the Way of Death;” the second explains how to perform rituals such as baptism, fasting, and Communion; the third covers ministry and how to deal with traveling teachers; the fourth part is a reminder that Jesus is coming again, with quotations from several New Testament passages which exhort Christians to live godly lives and prepare for “that day.”

The books of Samuel describe the rise and development of kingship in Israel. Samuel is a pivotal figure. He bridges the gap between the period of the Judges and the monarchy, and guides Israel’s transition to kingship.

Each section of these books focuses on a major figure in the development of the monarchy: Samuel, the reluctant king maker; Saul, the king whom the Lord rejects; David, the king after the Lord’s own heart. A common theme unites these narratives: Israel’s God acts justly, prospering those who remain faithful and destroying those who reject his ways. Along with the rest of the Deuteronomistic History, the Books of Samuel become an object lesson for biblical Israel as it tries to re-establish its religious identity after the destruction of Jerusalem and the loss of its homeland (587/586 B.C.).

On Tuesday of the Fourteenth week in Ordinary Time our Church invites us to reflect on a scripture passage from the second book of Samuel (18:6-17,24---19:5) entitled ”The death of Absalom and David’s grief”. Our treasure, which follows, is from a discourse on the psalms by Saint Augustine, bishop.

A Bishop in Hippo (near modern-day Annaba, Algeria), Augustine was an influential leader in the African Church. As Christians were growing in their knowledge of God and Christ, Augustine helped to shape Christian theological teachings, particularly those about the role of Divine Grace and the nature of the Holy Trinity. In the process, he combatted many theological errors.

The son of Monica, a holy Christian, and Patricius, a pagan, Augustine was born in 354 in Tagaste (now known as Souk Ahras, Algeria). He was educated in the best secular schools of his day. As a young man, he led a distinctly non-Christian and immoral life. He lived with a young woman without the benefit of marriage. Together they had a son, Adeodatus.

Augustine became a teacher. He first taught Grammar in Tagaste. He then taught Rhetoric in Carthage, and later in Rome and Milan. The young Augustine was continually searching with a restless heart for meaning in life. Each time that he would be attracted to a particular philosophy or group, he would become disillusioned the more familiar he became with its thought.

Finally, he found Jesus Christ, and at last was satisfied. Shortly after his baptism as a Christian in 387, Augustine returned to Tagaste. There he gathered several of his friends together to share a common life of mutual support on their spiritual journey.

At the insistence of the Christians of Hippo, Augustine was ordained a Priest in 391, and Bishop of Hippo in 395. Unwilling to give up his community life, he called the clergy of Hippo to form a community with him.

As Bishop, Augustine ministered to the spiritual and material needs of his people. He wrote extensively. We have today a vast collection of his writing--113 books, 207 letters and more than 500 sermons. His most famous works are The Confessions, City of God and The Trinity. He contributed magnificently to the development of sound theology and was influential in combatting theological errors.

Although he is rightly famous for his roles in settling the theological controversies of his time, Augustine’s priorities were the pastoral care of the people of his Church and spiritual growth. He developed a deep spirituality in which love is central. He was particularly concerned with the needs of the poor, and saw to it that the Church welcomed and helped them.

He fought bravely against the errors of his time and explained the Faith carefully and cogently through his writings. He is also a preeminent Catholic Doctor of the Church. His writings influenced the development of western philosophy and western Christianity, and he is viewed as one of the most important Church Fathers of the Latin Church in the Patristic Period. He died in 430.

Throughout its many pages, Psalms encourages its readers to praise God for who He is and what He has done. The Psalms illuminate the greatness of our God, affirm His faithfulness to us in times of trouble, and remind us of the absolute centrality of His Word. The focus of Augustine's Explanations of the Psalms is on Christ. In fact, at one point he says, "Christ is the comprehensive mystery underlying all of Scripture."

The books of Samuel describe the rise and development of kingship in Israel. Samuel is a pivotal figure. He bridges the gap between the period of the Judges and the monarchy, and guides Israel’s transition to kingship.

Each section of these books focuses on a major figure in the development of the monarchy: Samuel, the reluctant king maker; Saul, the king whom the Lord rejects; David, the king after the Lord’s own heart. A common theme unites these narratives: Israel’s God acts justly, prospering those who remain faithful and destroying those who reject his ways. Along with the rest of the Deuteronomistic History, the Books of Samuel become an object lesson for biblical Israel as it tries to re-establish its religious identity after the destruction of Jerusalem and the loss of its homeland (587/586 B.C.).

 On Monday of the Fourteenth week in Ordinary Time our Church invites us to reflect on a scripture passage from the second book of Samuel (15:7-14,24-30,16:5-13) entitled ”The rebellion of Absalom and David’s flight”. Our treasure, which follows, is from a letter to the Corinthians by Saint Clement, pope.

Saint Clement of Rome is primarily known for being the fourth Pope and one of the Apostolic Fathers, a group of early Church leaders who personally knew the apostles. He is also famous for writing a letter to the Church in Corinth, known as "1 Clement". This letter is one of the oldest surviving Christian writings outside the New Testament and is a valuable piece of early Christian literature. It addressed a dispute within the Corinthian community and emphasized the importance of unity and obedience to church leadership.

St. Clement is considered one of the earliest Christian leaders who had a direct connection to the apostles, particularly St. Peter. He served as the fourth Pope, succeeding St. Peter, St. Linus, and St. Cletus. Tradition holds that St. Clement was martyred during the reign of Emperor Trajan in the year 100 by being thrown into the sea with an anchor tied around his neck.

 Saint Clement’s letter to the Corinthians is one of the earliest documents of Christianity that we have, after the Epistles and the Acts, to show us how the Church was developing. It was written shortly after Apostolic times, the scholars put it at between 80 and 100 AD. Its main subject - Clement’s answer to a problem that the church of Corinth had raised with him - shows the relationship of the local churches to each other. The church of Corinth had obviously written to the bishop of Rome for advice, and the latter answered admonishing them, using references to the letter of Paul to those same Corinthians, written some decades earlier and obviously still familiar to them, as well as other passages from various writings of the Apostles that are now part of the New Testament (which was not compiled yet.) The letter shows us two things: (1) the local churches were in unity with each other, and the Bishop of Rome had enough authority to be asked for advice by the community in Corinth (Greece) and for his advice to be followed. (2) that various writings of the Apostles - later to be “canonized” in the New Testament - were already circulating among the churches and known by all of them.

The books of Samuel describe the rise and development of kingship in Israel. Samuel is a pivotal figure. He bridges the gap between the period of the Judges and the monarchy, and guides Israel’s transition to kingship.

Each section of these books focuses on a major figure in the development of the monarchy: Samuel, the reluctant king maker; Saul, the king whom the Lord rejects; David, the king after the Lord’s own heart. A common theme unites these narratives: Israel’s God acts justly, prospering those who remain faithful and destroying those who reject his ways. Along with the rest of the Deuteronomistic History, the Books of Samuel become an object lesson for biblical Israel as it tries to re-establish its religious identity after the destruction of Jerusalem and the loss of its homeland (587/586 B.C.).

On the Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time our Church invites us to reflect on a scripture passage from the second book of Samuel (12:1-25) entitled ”The repentance of David”. Our treasure, which follows, is from a sermon by Saint Augustine, bishop.

A Bishop in Hippo (near modern-day Annaba, Algeria), Augustine was an influential leader in the African Church. As Christians were growing in their knowledge of God and Christ, Augustine helped to shape Christian theological teachings, particularly those about the role of Divine Grace and the nature of the Holy Trinity. In the process, he combatted many theological errors.

The son of Monica, a holy Christian, and Patricius, a pagan, Augustine was born in 354 in Tagaste (now known as Souk Ahras, Algeria). He was educated in the best secular schools of his day. As a young man, he led a distinctly non-Christian and immoral life. He lived with a young woman without the benefit of marriage. Together they had a son, Adeodatus.

Augustine became a teacher. He first taught Grammar in Tagaste. He then taught Rhetoric in Carthage, and later in Rome and Milan. The young Augustine was continually searching with a restless heart for meaning in life. Each time that he would be attracted to a particular philosophy or group, he would become disillusioned the more familiar he became with its thought.

Finally, he found Jesus Christ, and at last was satisfied. Shortly after his baptism as a Christian in 387, Augustine returned to Tagaste. There he gathered several of his friends together to share a common life of mutual support on their spiritual journey.

At the insistence of the Christians of Hippo, Augustine was ordained a Priest in 391, and Bishop of Hippo in 395. Unwilling to give up his community life, he called the clergy of Hippo to form a community with him.

As Bishop, Augustine ministered to the spiritual and material needs of his people. He wrote extensively. We have today a vast collection of his writing--113 books, 207 letters and more than 500 sermons. His most famous works are The Confessions, City of God and The Trinity. He contributed magnificently to the development of sound theology and was influential in combatting theological errors.

Although he is rightly famous for his roles in settling the theological controversies of his time, Augustine’s priorities were the pastoral care of the people of his Church and spiritual growth. He developed a deep spirituality in which love is central. He was particularly concerned with the needs of the poor, and saw to it that the Church welcomed and helped them.

He fought bravely against the errors of his time and explained the Faith carefully and cogently through his writings. He is also a preeminent Catholic Doctor of the Church. His writings influenced the development of western philosophy and western Christianity, and he is viewed as one of the most important Church Fathers of the Latin Church in the Patristic Period. He died in 430

The books of Samuel describe the rise and development of kingship in Israel. Samuel is a pivotal figure. He bridges the gap between the period of the Judges and the monarchy, and guides Israel’s transition to kingship.

Each section of these books focuses on a major figure in the development of the monarchy: Samuel, the reluctant king maker; Saul, the king whom the Lord rejects; David, the king after the Lord’s own heart. A common theme unites these narratives: Israel’s God acts justly, prospering those who remain faithful and destroying those who reject his ways. Along with the rest of the Deuteronomistic History, the Books of Samuel become an object lesson for biblical Israel as it tries to re-establish its religious identity after the destruction of Jerusalem and the loss of its homeland (587/586 B.C.).

On Saturday of the Thirteenth week in Ordinary Time our Church invites us to reflect on a scripture passage from the second book of Samuel (11:1-17, 26-27) entitled ”The sin of David”. Our treasure, which follows, is from a catechetical instruction by Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, bishop.

Saint Cyril was born in 370 and lived a monastic life. He was ordained a priest and succeeded his uncle as bishop of Alexandria where he served from 412 to 444. He was enthroned when the city was at the height of its influence and power within the Roman Empire. He had a preeminent role at the Council of Ephesus; he fought bravely against the doctrines of Nestorius, and wrote many learned works explaining and defending the Catholic faith.

Saint Cyril is counted among the Church Fathers and also as a Doctor of the Church. His reputation within the Christian world has resulted in his titles, “Pillar of Faith” and “Seal of all the Fathers”. Cyril died in 444.

The books of Samuel describe the rise and development of kingship in Israel. Samuel is a pivotal figure. He bridges the gap between the period of the Judges and the monarchy, and guides Israel’s transition to kingship.

Each section of these books focuses on a major figure in the development of the monarchy: Samuel, the reluctant king maker; Saul, the king whom the Lord rejects; David, the king after the Lord’s own heart. A common theme unites these narratives: Israel’s God acts justly, prospering those who remain faithful and destroying those who reject his ways. Along with the rest of the Deuteronomistic History, the Books of Samuel become an object lesson for biblical Israel as it tries to re-establish its religious identity after the destruction of Jerusalem and the loss of its homeland (587/586 B.C.).

On Friday of the Thirteenth week in Ordinary Time our Church invites us to reflect on a scripture passage from the second book of Samuel (7:1-25) entitled ”The messianic prophecy of Nathan”. Our treasure, which follows, is from the book on the Predestination of the Saints by Saint Augustine, bishop.

A Bishop in Hippo (near modern-day Annaba, Algeria), Augustine was an influential leader in the African Church. As Christians were growing in their knowledge of God and Christ, Augustine helped to shape Christian theological teachings, particularly those about the role of Divine Grace and the nature of the Holy Trinity. In the process, he combatted many theological errors.

The son of Monica, a holy Christian, and Patricius, a pagan, Augustine was born in 354 in Tagaste (now known as Souk Ahras, Algeria). He was educated in the best secular schools of his day. As a young man, he led a distinctly non-Christian and immoral life. He lived with a young woman without the benefit of marriage. Together they had a son, Adeodatus.

Augustine became a teacher. He first taught Grammar in Tagaste. He then taught Rhetoric in Carthage, and later in Rome and Milan. The young Augustine was continually searching with a restless heart for meaning in life. Each time that he would be attracted to a particular philosophy or group, he would become disillusioned the more familiar he became with its thought.

Finally, he found Jesus Christ, and at last was satisfied. Shortly after his baptism as a Christian in 387, Augustine returned to Tagaste. There he gathered several of his friends together to share a common life of mutual support on their spiritual journey.

At the insistence of the Christians of Hippo, Augustine was ordained a Priest in 391, and Bishop of Hippo in 395. Unwilling to give up his community life, he called the clergy of Hippo to form a community with him.

As Bishop, Augustine ministered to the spiritual and material needs of his people. He wrote extensively. We have today a vast collection of his writing--113 books, 207 letters and more than 500 sermons. His most famous works are The Confessions, City of God and The Trinity. He contributed magnificently to the development of sound theology and was influential in combatting theological errors.

Although he is rightly famous for his roles in settling the theological controversies of his time, Augustine’s priorities were the pastoral care of the people of his Church and spiritual growth. He developed a deep spirituality in which love is central. He was particularly concerned with the needs of the poor, and saw to it that the Church welcomed and helped them.

He fought bravely against the errors of his time and explained the Faith carefully and cogently through his writings. He is also a preeminent Catholic Doctor of the Church. His writings influenced the development of western philosophy and western Christianity, and he is viewed as one of the most important Church Fathers of the Latin Church in the Patristic Period. He died in 430.

"Predestination of the Saints" is a theological work written by Saint Augustine, a prominent Christian theologian and philosopher of the 4th and 5th centuries. His document explores the concept of predestination, which is the idea that God has already determined the fate of every individual before they are born. Augustine argues that predestination is a fundamental aspect of Christian doctrine and that it is necessary for understanding God's sovereignty and the nature of salvation. He also discusses the role of free will in relation to predestination and emphasizes the importance of living a virtuous life. Overall, ""Predestination of the Saints"" is a complex and thought-provoking work that delves into some of the most fundamental questions of Christian theology.

What St Augustine is saying is that if a person comes to faith at some point in his or her life, then God sees the point that the person will do so. If God sees the point at which a person will put his or her faith in God, God is not interfering with the free will, he is just observing the will of the person. others are predestined to reject it.

The books of Samuel describe the rise and development of kingship in Israel. Samuel is a pivotal figure. He bridges the gap between the period of the Judges and the monarchy, and guides Israel’s transition to kingship.

Each section of these books focuses on a major figure in the development of the monarchy: Samuel, the reluctant king maker; Saul, the king whom the Lord rejects; David, the king after the Lord’s own heart. A common theme unites these narratives: Israel’s God acts justly, prospering those who remain faithful and destroying those who reject his ways. Along with the rest of the Deuteronomistic History, the Books of Samuel become an object lesson for biblical Israel as it tries to re-establish its religious identity after the destruction of Jerusalem and the loss of its homeland (587/586 B.C.).

Today, July 3, as our Church celebrates the Feast of Thomas, Apostle, we are invited to first read and reflect on a passage from the first letter of the apostle Paul to the Corinthians (4:1-16) entitled “Let us imitate the Apostle just as he imitates Christ”. Our treasure, which follows, is from a homily on the Gospels by Saint Gregory the Great, pope.

Saint Thomas is remembered for his incredulity concerning Christ’s resurrection from the dead. When confronted by the risen Lord, his disbelief gave way to belief and he proclaimed the Easter faith of the church: “My Lord  and my God!” Nothing certain is known of his life except for this evidence in the gospels. He is said to have subsequently preached the Gospel to the people of India. Since the fourth century the celebration of the transference of his body to Edessa has been commemorated on July 3.

Saint Gregory was the pope from 590 to 604, a reformer and excellent administrator, “founder” of the medieval papacy which exercised both secular and spiritual power. His papacy is considered one of the most consequential in history.

His title “the great “reflects his status as a writer as well as a ruler. As the fourth and final of the traditional Latin Fathers of the Church, Saint Gregory was the first exponent of truly medieval and sacramental spirituality.

Saint Gregory is best known for his contributions to the liturgy. He reformed the Mass and the daily prayer of the church and wrote prayers we still use today, as well as commentaries on scripture that shaped theology throughout the Middle Ages. Among his many teachings, Saint Gregory famously taught: “The Christian life is conceived of as, above all, a life of detachment and desire: detachment from the world and from sin, and an intense desire for God.”

In his first letter to the Corinthians Paul warns against divisions within the Church and emphasizes the importance of unity among Church members. He warns members against sexual immorality, teaches that the body is a temple for the Holy Spirit, and encourages self-discipline.

On Wednesday of the Thirteenth week in Ordinary Time our Church invites us to reflect on a scripture passage from the second book of Samuel (4:2---5:7), entitled “ David is king over Israel; he capture Jerusalem”. Our treasure, which follows, is from the book Way of Perfection by Saint Teresa of Avila, virgin.

Saint Teresa was born at Avila in Spain in 1515. She joined the Carmelite Order, made great progress, and the way of perfection and enjoyed mystical revelations. Teresa became the central figure of a movement of spiritual and monastic renewal, reforming the Carmelite Orders of both women and men. When she reformed the Order, she met with much resistance, but she succeeded with undaunted courage. She also wrote books filled with sublime doctrine, the fruit of her own spiritual life. Teresa's work and teachings had a big impact on the Church. Her reform of the Carmelite order led her to a more simple and prayerful life. Her writings still inspire people today to focus on prayer and trust in God's guidance. She was declared a saint in 1622 and later became a Doctor of the Church. She died at Avila in 1582.

"The Way of Perfection" by St. Teresa of Avila is a guide for spiritual development, particularly for those seeking union with God through prayer. It emphasizes the importance of fraternal love, detachment from material things, and true humility as essential for a prayerful life. The book, written for Carmelite nuns, offers practical advice on prayer, contemplation, and cultivating a closer relationship with God. 

The books of Samuel describe the rise and development of kingship in Israel. Samuel is a pivotal figure. He bridges the gap between the period of the Judges and the monarchy, and guides Israel’s transition to kingship.

Each section of these books focuses on a major figure in the development of the monarchy: Samuel, the reluctant king maker; Saul, the king whom the Lord rejects; David, the king after the Lord’s own heart. A common theme unites these narratives: Israel’s God acts justly, prospering those who remain faithful and destroying those who reject his ways. Along with the rest of the Deuteronomistic History, the Books of Samuel become an object lesson for biblical Israel as it tries to re-establish its religious identity after the destruction of Jerusalem and the loss of its homeland (587/586 B.C.).

Today, July 1, as our Church celebrates the Memorial of Saint Junipero Serra, priest, we are first invited to reflect on a passage from the Second Book of Samuel (2:1-11, 3:1-5), entitled “David is anointed King of Judah at Hebron”. Our treasure, which follows, is f:rom a sermon by Saint Augustine, bishop.

Born at Petra, Majorca, Spain, November 24, 1713, a son of Antonio Nadal Serra and Margarita Rosa Ferrer who spent their lives as farmers, Saint Junípero Serra was baptized on the same day at St. Peter’s Church and was given the name Miguel José.

In Petra, Junipero Serra attended the primary school of the Franciscans. At 15-years-old, he was taken by his parents to Palma to be placed in the charge of a cathedral canon, and he began to assist at classes in philosophy held in the Franciscan monastery of San Francisco.

Saint Junipero Serra was admitted as a novice at the Convento de Jesús outside the walls of Palma on September 14, 1730, and made his profession on September 15, the following year. He chose the name Junípero in memory of the brother companion of St. Francis. He studied philosophy and theology at the Convento de San Francisco. The date of his ordination to the priesthood is not known, though it probably occurred during the Ember Days of December 1738.  Serra obtained his doctorate in theology in 1742 from the Llullian University, Palma. He was called to the Sciolistic chair of theology at the same university as primary professor in January 1749 to become an Indian missionary in America. He died on August 28, 1784 and was canonized on September 23, 2015.

A Bishop in Hippo (near modern-day Annaba, Algeria), Augustine was an influential leader in the African Church. As Christians were growing in their knowledge of God and Christ, Augustine helped to shape Christian theological teachings, particularly those about the role of Divine Grace and the nature of the Holy Trinity. In the process, he combatted many theological errors.

The son of Monica, a holy Christian, and Patricius, a pagan, Augustine was born in 354 in Tagaste (now known as Souk Ahras, Algeria). He was educated in the best secular schools of his day. As a young man, he led a distinctly non-Christian and immoral life. He lived with a young woman without the benefit of marriage. Together they had a son, Adeodatus.

Augustine became a teacher. He first taught Grammar in Tagaste. He then taught Rhetoric in Carthage, and later in Rome and Milan. The young Augustine was continually searching with a restless heart for meaning in life. Each time that he would be attracted to a particular philosophy or group, he would become disillusioned the more familiar he became with its thought.

Finally, he found Jesus Christ, and at last was satisfied. Shortly after his baptism as a Christian in 387, Augustine returned to Tagaste. There he gathered several of his friends together to share a common life of mutual support on their spiritual journey.

At the insistence of the Christians of Hippo, Augustine was ordained a Priest in 391, and Bishop of Hippo in 395. Unwilling to give up his community life, he called the clergy of Hippo to form a community with him.

As Bishop, Augustine ministered to the spiritual and material needs of his people. He wrote extensively. We have today a vast collection of his writing--113 books, 207 letters and more than 500 sermons. His most famous works are The Confessions, City of God and The Trinity. He contributed magnificently to the development of sound theology and was influential in combatting theological errors.

Although he is rightly famous for his roles in settling the theological controversies of his time, Augustine’s priorities were the pastoral care of the people of his Church and spiritual growth. He developed a deep spirituality in which love is central. He was particularly concerned with the needs of the poor, and saw to it that the Church welcomed and helped them.

He fought bravely against the errors of his time and explained the Faith carefully and cogently through his writings. He is also a preeminent Catholic Doctor of the Church. His writings influenced the development of western philosophy and western Christianity, and he is viewed as one of the most important Church Fathers of the Latin Church in the Patristic Period. He died in 430.

The books of Samuel describe the rise and development of kingship in Israel. Samuel is a pivotal figure. He bridges the gap between the period of the Judges and the monarchy, and guides Israel’s transition to kingship.

Each section of these books focuses on a major figure in the development of the monarchy: Samuel, the reluctant king maker; Saul, the king whom the Lord rejects; David, the king after the Lord’s own heart. A common theme unites these narratives: Israel’s God acts justly, prospering those who remain faithful and destroying those who reject his ways. Along with the rest of the Deuteronomistic History, the Books of Samuel become an object lesson for biblical Israel as it tries to re-establish its religious identity after the destruction of Jerusalem and the loss of its homeland (587/586 B.C.).