In reading a biography of ST. Augustine I found that it contains vocabulary words in English which were entirely new to me, beside the occasional Latin or French or German word. In spite of that I persevere, feeling certain that the subject himself will be worth the reading. In fact I have learned much so far. What I really need is a key to the deep scholarship that went into the writing of this book, in order to gather all that it has to offer of the mind and heart of St. Augustine.

When Peter recognized Jesus as the “Son of the Living God”, Jesus said, “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of Heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”(Matthew 16:16&19)

Such recognition is a key to understanding the Kingdom of God, and being instructed by the Holy Spirit of God. Peter only dimly understood this at the time, but later understood that the indwelling Spirit would be with him and in him for more and more understanding of God’s purposes for his life. In the process Peter would grow in actual sharing of the mind and heart of Jesus.

St. Paul wrote, “’Who has known the mind of God, so as to instruct Him?’ But we have the mind of Christ.” The “mind of Christ” becomes available when we accept Jesus’ identity as the unique son of God. It is the first step in a relationship that yields a key to both God’s nature and our own. Peter later wrote, “For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.” (1Peter 1:23). He himself experienced new birth with Jesus, and it reshaped his life.

In the early fifth century Augustine preached, “At first your understanding was very shaky and hesitant; later you came to understand with greater certainty and clarity. It’s not He that is growing, but you that are making progress, and it’s as though He seems to be rising up with you. That’s how it is, brothers and sisters. Trust God ‘s instructions, and carry them out, and He will give muscle to your understanding.”(sermon117,17)

When I read his biography I learn about Augustine, but when I read his sermons I share his heart as well as his mind. Why? Because he preaches about the same Spirit I have met in Scripture, and his words are full of the heart and mind of Christ. He has, with Peter, received the keys to the Kingdom that Jesus holds out to each of us.

Love in Him,

Prue