Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Thursday of the 21st week in ordinary time, August 28, 2025, Memorial of Saint Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

Delivered by Ria from the Parish of Good Shepherd in the Diocese of Surabaya, Indonesia. 1 Thessalonians 3: 7-13; Rs psalm 90: 3-4.12-13.14.17; Matthew 24: 42-51. THE HEART JUST WANTS TO REST IN GOD The title for our meditation today is:The Heart Just Wants To Rest In God. The sentence of this theme of ourmeditation comes from Saint Augustine, a prominent philosopher and theologianof the Church in ancient times, especially in the period after the persecution inthe Church. We assume that the experience of his own life from being verysecular and evil did not make him calm and peaceful, ultimately all changed tobecome a beautiful end because he repented and enjoyed peace in God. He experienced peace and joy beginningwith his conversion. Then he embraced a new life so profoundly until he becamea bishop and doctor of the Church, who taught the divine truth to many people.He continued to renew the Church, including his family, in particular his ownmother died in peace and happiness. Likewise his father who finally died as abeliever. Augustine's highest achievement as human person is to be a saint andas a teacher of faith for all of us. While doing pilgrimage in this world,we need to always ask ourselves and our loved ones: what do we want to achieveand what place will be the end of our journey? This question should not only bea part of personal reflection or discussion topic in meeting and seminar room,but must be the content of each person's prayer. Every morning waking up fromsleep, and at night going to bed, as we ask this question ourselves, weactually make a very important prayer. God who hears the expressions of theheart and prayers that contain the purpose of our lives, certainly gives theanswer. Together with Saint Augustine, we have a fundamental belief that theplace and moment for our rest, that our hearts will stop seraching, and oursteps will not continue the pilgrimage of life, is no other than the heaven.Whereas in this world, even though the situation really tempts us to lose ourfocus on God, but we should be able to create an experience of life that bringsus calmness and peacefulness in God. According to Saint Paul in the firstreading, our hearts can rest in God if our lives follow the will of God. Thepoint is that the Word of God must be able to work diligently in each of us andin our living together as believers. That means that if someone does not livewith the Word, then not moved by it, he or she has not been said to be happyand peaceful in his life. Moreover, if people whose lives are full with crimesand evil such as the Pharisees and Scribes, they certainly do not live inpeace, happiness and calmness. Let's pray. In the name of theFather... O Lord, may the prayers and blessings of Saint Augustine, we becomemore faithful to You. Our Father who art in heaven ... In the name of theFather...