Augustine of Hippo (354 – 430 AD) was a bishop of Hippo in Northern Africa. A theologian and philosopher, Saint Augustine was one of the most influential Christian writers of early Christendom and is viewed as one of the most important Church Fathers of the Western church. His many important works include The City of God, On Christian Doctrine and Confessions.
One statement attributed to Saint Augustine is this: A Christian is a mind through which Christ thinks, a heart through which Christ loves, a voice through which Christ speaks, and a hand through which Christ helps.
Saint Augustine’s words reminded me of a well-known hymn:
Friends, companions let me serve you,
Let me be as Christ to you.
Pray that I might have the grace
to let you be my servant too.
I will hold the Christ light for you
in the nighttime of your fear;
I will hold my hand out to you,
speak the peace you long to hear.
I will weep when you are weeping;
when you laugh I’ll laugh with you;
I will share your joy and sorrow,
till we’ve seen this journey through.
May this be true of us, the people of South Darebin Parish.
Grace and peace to you all.
Chris