Memorial of Saint Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

Let no one deceive you in any way. To this end he has also called you through our Gospel to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught, either by an oral statement or by a letter of ours. May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting encouragement and good hope through his grace, encourage your hearts and strengthen them in every good deed and word.

There are many people who would deceive us in this world. They would lead us astray in one way or another by convincing us there is no such thing as sin. Or we are holier than others. Or we must do some evil for the greater good. They will seek to compromise our faith, our hope, and our love in various ways... through temptations, indifference, anxieties, fears, and doubts. However, if we ground our lives in the Gospels and stand firm to our Christian traditions and the teachings of Christ, then we shall be able to withstand their assaults. Our hearts will be forged into fortresses dedicated to the Lord through our holy thoughts, words, and works.

Are there people in our lives who are trying to lead us astray? What might we do to lead them to God without imperiling ourselves? How can we strengthen ourselves in faith, hope, and love?

O Lord, let no one deceive us. Let your truth reign over us forever and ever.

Amen.