The Benefits of Confession

HOMILY, ST. PAUL’S, FOLEY – 3 EPIPHANY, YEAR B

JANUARY 24, 2021

 

TEXT:                        Jonah 3:1-5, 10

 

 

            One of the great figures of church history is Augustine of Hippo. He lived in North Africa, in modern-day Algeria.  He is, arguably, the most influential theologian in Christian history.

 

            He is known for two famous written works – one being, City of God.  The other book is appropriately named – Confessions.  He had much to write about.

 

            Augustine was like many of us – he had a profligate youth.  But his was truly over the top.  He was very wealthy. He had led a cushy life, getting the finest education. He devoted himself to secular studies and became an adherent to the Manichean religion. And he had concubines – women whose tasks in life were to give him pleasure.

 

            Confessions was written in 13 books in the late fourth Christian century. The first nine books were autobiographical.  He had much to write about, writing them as he did when he was about 40 years old. It seems hindsight is 20-20.

 

            In his 30s, Augustine discovered God in the scriptures.  As he sat quietly in a garden – alone – he heard a child chant, “Tolle lege… tolle lege”… “Take up and read… take up and read.” He reached out and took up the scroll of Paul’s Letter to the Romans.  He absorbed it and was soon baptized by the famous bishop, Ambrose of Milan. The first words of his book are these: "For Thou hast made us for Thyself and our hearts are restless till they rest in Thee."

 

            But, in the middle of all this don’t lose sight of the essence of Augustine’s journey: confession.  It was his repentance – his turning about, his releasing of his old ways -- that led to the new life and freedom he found.  After his confession, he became the person he was created to be. He was liberated from old burdens and obsessions.

 

            My conversion was not as dramatic and certainly not as substantive as Augustine’s.  But it changed my life forever.  A heart that is ruled by insecurity, anger and ambition is not one that serves the Higher Purpose.

 

            That is what Jonah discovered in the first lesson today.  The people of Nineveh were on a destructive course – until they heard what Jonah had to say.  The rest of the Book of Jonah tells us that Jonah was somewhat disappointed that God did not rain fire on the city.

 

            That was because the people of Nineveh confronted their failings and found liberation from division, ambition and rebelliousness, and turned about. They found the truth in these words: "For Thou hast made us for Thyself and our hearts are restless till they rest in Thee."