Today, the Church celebrates a great personality and model of conversion for seemingly hopeless sinners, St. Augustine Aurelius of Hippo. Born into a Christian family, Augustine later abandoned the faith, led a wild life in search of happiness and got involved in all kinds of philosophical cult groups and immoral lifestyles. However, through the persistent prayers of his mother St. Monica and the preaching of St. Ambrose of Milan, he was reconverted to the faith. Hence, while we celebrate the conversion and life of Augustine today, we cannot forget those who made it possible through their prayers and preaching. As Christians, we must not be like the Scribes and Pharisees who personalised heaven and so would not allow others to enter it. Rather, we should be our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers. We must not hoard the message of salvation for ourselves but instead use it to lead others to God, and be patient with them like Monica and Ambrose did with Augustine. For, indeed, nobody is beyond redemption.

PRAYERS: Lord Jesus, help us like St. Augustine, to respond to the grace of conversion which you make available to us at every Eucharistic sacrifice. Amen