Faith and Spirituality – Page 56 – watercress words by Dr Aletha

Who was St. Augustine?

St. Augustine quote — graphic from Lightstock, an affiliate link

St Augustine of Hippo ( from Numida, North Africa) is the most important convert to Christianity, next to St. Paul.

His mother Monica was a devout Christian while his father was a pagan. Monica raised Augustine as a Christian but he did not readily accept Christian belief or baptism.

He was educated in philosophy and rhetoric at Carthage and taught in Rome. There he converted to Christianity, was baptized, and eventually became a priest and bishop.

Augustine wrote prolifically, much of which we still have available today, including Confessions and The City of God. (these are affiliate links)

Proverbs 28, New International Version

1 The wicked flee though no one pursues,

but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

4 Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked,

but those who heed it resist them.

5 Evildoers do not understand what is right,

but those who seek the Lord understand it fully.

8 Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor

amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor.

10 Whoever leads the upright along an evil path

will fall into their own trap,

but the blameless will receive a good inheritance.

12 When the righteous triumph, there is great elation;

but when the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding.

13 Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper,

but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

man with hands folded in prayer — 14 Blessed is the one who always trembles before God, but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble. photo from Lightstock

14 Blessed is the one who always trembles before God,

but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.

18 The one whose walk is blameless is kept safe,

but the one whose ways are perverse will fall into the pit.

25 The greedy stir up conflict,

but those who trust in the Lord will prosper.

26 Those who trust in themselves are fools,

but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.

27 Those who give to the poor will lack nothing,

but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.

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