SHEPHERDS OF CHRIST; for the sheep, Insist in season and out of season

SHEPHERDS OF CHRIST;

for the sheep,

Insist in season and 

out of season

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MEDICINES FOR THE FAITH

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Taken from:
Saint Augustine, Sermon on
pastors from 46, 14 to 15

The straying sheep you have not recalled; the lost sheep you have not sought. In one way or another, we go on living between the hands of robbers and the teeth of raging wolves, and in light of these present dangers we ask your prayers. The sheep moreover are insolent. The shepherd seeks out the straying sheep, but because they have wandered away and are lost they say that they are not ours. “ Why do you want us? Why do you seek us?” they ask, as if their straying and being lost were not the very reason for our wanting them and seeking them out. “If I am straying”, he says, “if I am lost, why do you want me?” You are straying, that is why I wish to recall you. You have been lost, I wish to find you. “But I wish to stray”, he says: “I wish to be lost”.

So you wish to stray and be lost? How much better that I do not also wish this. Certainly, I dare say, I am unwelcome. But I listen to the Apostle who says: Preach the word; insist upon it, welcome and unwelcome. Welcome to whom? Unwelcome to whom? By all means welcome to those who desire it; unwelcome to those who do not. However unwelcome, I dare to say: “You wish to stray, you wish to be lost; but I do not want this”. For the one whom I fear does not wish this. And should I wish it, consider his words of reproach: The straying sheep you have not recalled; the lost sheep you have not sought. Shall I fear you rather than him? Remember, we must all present ourselves before the judgement seat of Christ.

I shall recall the straying; I shall seek the lost. Whether they wish it or not, I shall do it. And should the brambles of the forests tear at me when I seek them, I shall force myself through all straits; I shall put down all hedges. So far as the God whom I fear grants me the strength, I shall search everywhere. I shall recall the straying; I shall seek after those on the verge of being lost. If you do not want me to suffer, do not stray, do not become lost. It is enough that I lament your straying and loss. No, I fear that in neglecting you, I shall also kill what is strong. Consider the passage that follows: And what was strong you have destroyed. Should I neglect the straying and lost, the strong one will also take delight in straying and in being lost.

We Pray
R /. Do not hold the appropriate word nor hide your wisdom; because speaking shows your wisdom, and intelligence in the answer given by the tongue.

V /. Preach the word, keep at it in season and out of season, convince, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and desire to instruct.

R /. Because speaking shows your wisdom, and intelligence in the answer given by the tongue.

Oh God, since you've
placed the fullness of the
law in the love for You
and thy neighbor,
grant us the wish to obey
your commandments
in order to reach
eternal life.
Through our Lord
Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns
with you and
the Holy Spirit and is
God for ever
ever. Amen

*****
Date: 09.22.2014
Translation: Pedro Sanchez
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