LESSON 13 i.

To prefer those that are received by all Catholic

churches than those which some do not receive.
WHAT IS THE BIBLE?
ii. Among those, again, which are not received by all,
The Bible is a collection of sacred books, which were
to prefer those that have the sanction of the greater
composed under by men chosen by God, under the
number and those of greater authority, than those
inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and which have been
that are held by the smaller number and those of less
accepted by the Church.
authority.
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church
So the whole canon of Scripture on which this
(CCC), it was by apostolic tradition that the Church
standard was applied/exercised are the following
discerned which writings were to be included in the
books:
list of the sacred books (CCC # 120).
A. THE OLD TESTAMENT – (46 books)
God is the author of the Sacred Scripture because He
inspired its human authors; he acts in them and by • It is a record of the old agreement between God
means of them. He thus gives assurance that their (Yahweh) and His chosen people, the Hebrews.
writings teach without error his saving truth. (CCC #
• It describes the remote preparation for the coming
136)
of the Messiah.
It is the most authorized, most admirable, and most
• There are 46 books in the Old Testament:
important book in the world because it is the only
“divine book”, the word of God, in the language of a. Law (Torah or Pentateuch) - 5
men.
b. Historical books – 15
KEY CONCEPTS The word Bible comes from the Greek
word biblia, which means books (pl). c. Didactic (Wisdom or Sapiential) books - 7

There are different names used to refer to the Bible : d. Prophetic books – 18

 Holy or Sacred Scripture a. Pentateuch - “penta” means five and “teuchos”

means book or the case of the scrolls. These books
 The Word of God deal with the covenant between God and the Jewish
people given through Moses (Hubag, F., et al. 2011).
 The Sacred Writings
Sometimes these books are called the “Five Books of
 The Good Book Moses”.

 Holy Writing • Genesis - is the book of beginnings, the beginnings

of the people of God and those of the world.
There are two main parts of the Bible:
• Exodus - is the book about the exodus from Egypt,
 Old Testament
and the sojourn in Sinai, with the giving of the Law
 New Testament and the construction of the ark of the covenant and
the Dwelling in which it is housed.
The word “testament” is used in the sense of
“agreement” or “covenant”. • Leviticus - is the collection of the Laws governing the
various areas of human existence.
The word “canon” came from the Greek word Kanon,
which means a reed or rule of measurement. • Numbers - is the narrative of the numbering of the
people and the long trek through the desert up to the
The Canon of the Bible is the complete list of books borders of the promised land.
that the Church has declared to be inspired by God
and that She regards as the Rule (Canon) of Truth, • Deuteronomy is the testament of Moses, a
Faith, and Life by reason of their divine origin. backward look at the events, and includes a series of
laws.
According to St. Augustine, with regards to the
canonical Scripture, the following standard is to be b. Historical Books - these historical books provide a
exercised: great amount of factual information in relation to the
Covenant.
They deal with the history of Israel beginning with the • There are 27 books in the New Testament. These are
entry into the promised land and narrating the divided into the following:
grandeur under David and Solomon, the division of
a. Gospels - 4 (Historical)
the Kingdom into North and south, the Babylonian
Exile and Return, and culminating in the glorious b. Acts of the Apostles (Historical)
struggle for freedom under the Maccabees.
c. Epistles - 21 (Didactic or Wisdom)
c. Wisdom Books - In these books, Israel reflects on
human life in the light of its faith. d. Revelation or Apocalypse (Prophetic)

The Wisdom literature (Wisdom, Sirach, Qoheleth, a. Gospels - the word Gospel means “good news”. The
Proverbs) offers religious insights into human Gospels are the heart of all the Scriptures because
behavior. they are our principal source for the life and teachings
of Jesus Christ, our Savior. (CCC #125).
There are seven wisdom books in the Old Testament
MATTHEW (MT)
• Job - an artistic dialogue skillfully handling the
problem of suffering from the standpoint of temporal Matthew is associated with the winged man, or the
life. angel, because his Gospel focuses on the humanity of
Christ, St. Jerome affirms. Matthew’s Gospel includes
• Psalms - is a collection of hymns and prayers a narrative regarding the genealogy of Jesus.
expressing the central themes of the Israelite faith.
Writes for the Jews because he was a Jew. The Gospel
• Proverbs - is a collection of sentences or practical according to Matthew is known to be the first Gospel
norms for moral conduct. because there is a tradition that it was written in
Aramaic first (this version was lost). It is characterized
Ecclesiastes or Qoheleth - examines a wide range of
by clarity, pedagogical direction, and balance in
human experiences only to conclude that all things
narrative sections. It contains the five discourses.
are vanity except the fear of the Lord and the
observance of His commandments MARK (MK)
• Song of Songs - expresses the love of God for all The lion is related to St. Mark because his Gospel
people, perfected in the union of Christ with His emphasizes the majesty of Christ and his royal dignity,
church. just as the lion has traditionally been regarded as the
king of beasts. Mark’s Gospel begins with the
Wisdom - shows the just man seeking happiness the
prophetic voice of John the Baptist, crying out in the
full hope of immortality
wilderness like a lion’s roar.
• Sirach or Ecclesiasticus - gathers and presents the
Addresses himself to the Romans. The Gospel
fruits of past experience.
according to Mark was written about 70 A.D. Mark
d. Prophetic Books - 18 books Scholars divide this was a companion of St. Paul and later a co-worker of
section into the major prophets and the minor St. Peter. Mark’s Gospel is short, vivid, concrete, and
prophets. The reason for the division is the size of the gives the impression of immediate contact with Jesus.
books. The writings associated with the major
LUKE (LK)
prophets are substantial while the writings of the
minor prophets are shorter. Luke gets the ox, because his Gospel focuses on the
sacrificial character of Christ’s death, and the ox has
B. THE NEW TESTAMENT - (27 books)
always been a sacrificial animal par excellence, both
• Is the record of the new agreement made by God for Judaism and Roman paganism.
with the whole human race through Jesus Christ, the
Addresses the Greeks. Luke’s Gospel was written in
son of God made Man.
the 80’s for Gentile Christians. He was a physician and
• The central object of the New Testament is Jesus a companion of St. Paul. Luke presents the History of
Christ, God's incarnate Son: his acts, teachings, Salvation from the beginning of the world until the
Passion, and glorification, and his Church's beginnings return of Christ.
under the Spirit's guidance
JOHN (JN) J
ohn, finally, is associated with the eagle for two b. Acts of the Apostles - the last of the Historical Book
reasons: first, because his Gospel describes the of the New Testament.
Incarnation of the divine Logos, and the eagle is a
• It was written by Luke as part of a two-volume work.
symbol of that which comes from above. The second,
This book continues where the gospels leave off.
because like the eagle, John, in his Revelation, saw
beyond what is immediately present. They don’t call • It narrates the ascension of Jesus Christ and leads
St. John the Evangelist “the Eagle of Patmos” for on to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost,
nothing! and the fruit of this outpouring is the carrying out
Christ’s command to preach the “good news” to all
the Gospel according to John is the last Gospel written
men
(about 90 A.D.) by John, the beloved disciple. It is the
most sublime and theological of the Gospels and very c. Epistles - consists of letters to answer the concrete
much different from the Synoptics. This Gospel is also needs of the early Church.
known as the Gospel of Love. John, more than the
other Gospel writers, emphasized the love of the These books are follow-up letters (21 of them) to
Father and the love of the Son. particular persons or communities after the gospel
has been preached orally to them.
There are 3 stages in the formation of the Gospels:
(CCC #126) The contents of the epistles deal with particular
theological, moral, or social questions that arose in
1. The life and teaching of Jesus the growing Christian communities, doctrinal and
moral instructions, disciplinary actions, practical
2. The Oral Tradition
advice, and exhortations.
3. The Written Gospel
• As a whole, they show Christians how to live
according to the teachings of Christ.

d. Revelation or Apocalypse - it is the last book in the

Bible, written in about 95 A.D., it is the most
1. THE LIFE AND TEACHING OF JESUS
mysterious of all the books of the Bible. It is also the
The Church holds firmly that the four Gospels, "whose least read and most difficult to understand because it
historicity she unhesitatingly affirms, faithfully hand is an underground letter using symbolic language,
on what Jesus, the Son of God, while he lived among having been written in a time of persecution.
men, really did and taught for their eternal salvation,
Discovery means death, therefore, the need for
until the day when he was taken up." (DV 19; cf. Acts
symbols. For example, it calls pagan Rome, its
1:1-2)
persecutor, the harlot Babylon. It symbolizes Christ,
II. THE ORAL TRADITION its hope, as the Lamb with seven horns (universal
power) and seven eyes (knowledge and wisdom).
"For, after the ascension of the Lord, the apostles (Hubag, F., et al. 2011)
handed on to their hearers what he had said and
done, but with that fuller understanding which they,
instructed by the glorious events of Christ and
enlightened by the Spirit of truth, now enjoyed." (DV
19)

III. THE WRITTEN GOSPELS

"The sacred authors, in writing the four Gospels,

selected certain of the many elements which had
been handed on, either orally or already in written
form; others they synthesized or explained with an
eye to the situation of the churches, the while
sustaining the form of preaching, but always in such a
fashion that they have told us the honest truth about
Jesus."(DV 19)
LESSON 11 2. In his writings, he emphasized the need for a moral
and philosophical framework to comprehend truth,
KEY POINTS
advocating for a journey toward God as the ultimate
I. Beauty of unity: living in harmony with others is truth.
pleasing to God. II. Anointing of unity: unity brings
3. For Augustine, the discovery of truth is not merely
spiritual blessing and anointing. III. Life-giving unity:
an intellectual endeavor but a spiritual awakening
unity brings life, prosperity, and God’s presence.
that leads to salvation.
SERMONS 267
ROLE OF FAITH AND REASON:
If one wishes to be alive with the Holy Spirit, hold on
 Augustine skillfully blended faith and reason,
to the loving-kindness (CARITAS), love truthfulness
arguing that both are essential to understanding
(VERITAS), long for oneness (UNITAS).
truth.
PHILOSOPHICAL INFLUENCES
 He posited that while faith provides the starting
1. Augustine was deeply influenced by Neoplatonism, point for seeking truth, reason helps to clarify and
which emphasized the importance of the divine and deepen that understanding.
the immaterial world. This philosophy guided his
 Augustine's perspective demonstrates that faith is
understanding of the nature of God and the pursuit of
not blind but is supported by rational thought, and he
truth. 2. Cicero's writings on philosophy and morality
believed that reason itself points toward a deeper
played a crucial role in shaping Augustine's thoughts
truth beyond mere human logic.
about ethics and the quest for happiness. 3. The
Manicheans, though initially appealing, ultimately led AUGUSTINE ON COMMUNION OF LIFE:
Augustine to question dualistic views of good and evil,
For Augustine, communion signifies a deep
pushing him closer to Christian beliefs.
connection both with God and fellow believers. This
CONVERSION EXPERIENCE: communion is grounded in love and shared faith,
fostering a strong sense of community. Augustine
Augustine's conversion to Christianity is famously
viewed this exchange of life as essential for spiritual
recounted in his 'Confessions'. Struggling with his
growth, whereby individuals contribute to and
inner turmoil, he heard a child's voice saying, ‘Tolle
support one another in their journey toward truth and
lege, tolle lege.' This moment led him to open the
divine connection.
Scriptures, where he found the message that
transformed his life. This pivotal experience marked WHAT IS COMMUNION?
his full embrace of Christian faith and commitment to
1. In a spiritual context, communion represents the
seeking truth. The conversion of Saint Augustine of
deep connection between the divine and humanity,
Hippo is a gift to the Church.
where believers participate in God's grace.
SAINT AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO ONSEARCH FOR TRUTH:
2. It also refers to the bond shared among members
Throughout his life, Augustine consistently sought of the Church, promoting mutual support and
answers to profound existential questions. His quest encouragement in faith
for truth involved grappling with notions of God,
3. Augustine emphasized that true communion stems
morality, and the human condition. Augustine's belief
from love, allowing individuals to reflect God's nature
that understanding truth is essential to the soul’s
within their community
happiness accentuates his theological inquiries and
philosophical debates, highlighting the interplay PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP:
between faith and reason.
Augustine understood relationships as fundamental to
WHAT IS TRUTH? (QUI ESTVERITAS?) experiencing communion.  He believed that genuine
connections with others enhance one's understanding
1. Augustine defined truth as a reflection of God,
of love and service,reflecting the divine relationship.
asserting that all truth is rooted in the divine nature.
He believed that truth transcends human  This interplay of personal relationships is crucial in
understanding and is not subjective. nurturing faith and understanding the broader
community's role in the spiritual journey.
COMMUNITY AND CHURCH: AUGUSTINE: THE PATER COMMUNIS OF THE
CATHOLIC CHURCH
1. Belonging to a community is central to Augustine's
theology, as he believed that the Church serves as the This is short, was the man who has been the most
body of Christ on Earth. widely followed teacher in the West, and who can
well be called Pater Communis. “That which Origen
2. He argued that the communal experience of
was for theological science in the third and fourth
worship, prayer, and service strengthens individual
centuries, Augustine has been in a more lasting and
faith and fosters spiritual growth.
effective manner for the entire life of the Church in
3. Augustine emphasized that being part of a church the succeeding centuries down to the present time.
community is not merely social, but a vital aspect of His influence extends not only to the domains of
one's relationship with God. philosophy, of dogmatics, and of moral and mystical
theology, but also to social life and welfare,
AUGUSTINE ON SERVICE TO THE CHURCH: ecclesiastical policy and public jurisprudence. He was,
Augustine viewed service as an expression of love, in a word, the great craftsman of the Western culture
pivotal to the Christian life. He encouraged both of the Middle Ages” (Patrologia).
clergy and laity to engage in acts of service, seeing As a scholar and polemicist, Augustine desired to be a
them as essential to the church's mission. For faithful interpreter of Catholic teaching, and this
Augustine, true service comes from a heart teaching remains the best key to the interpretation of
transformed by love for God and neighbor, bridging his thought. “And if at times on the part of
the gap between belief and action. Protestants, it has been attempted and is attempted
AUGUSTINE: THE BISHOP AND THE PASTOR to interpret his thought as partially not in accord with
the thought of the Church, it must be noted to the
Of particular interest is the study of Augustine’s contrary with K. Holl that the ‘Catholic Church has
character, for his understanding moral qualities always understood him better than her adversaries’.
corresponded to his extraordinary intellectual The ecclesiastical Magisterium has followed no other
abilities. He possessed a generous and strong theological author in this decision as much as
constitution, and was endowed with an insatiable Augustine, even for the doctrine of grace” (Patrologia)
thirst for wisdom, a profound need for friendship, a
vibrant love for Christ, the Church and the faithful, ROLE OF THE CLERGY:
and an astonishing devotion and stamina for work. 1. Saint Augustine placed immense responsibility on
Augustine was further marked by a moderate yet clergy, emphasizing their role in guiding the faithful
austere asceticism, a sincere humility which did not and embodying Christ's teachings.
hesitate to acknowledge his own errors, and an
assiduous dedication of the study of the Sacred 2. He believed that clergy must lead by example,
Scriptures, to prayer, to the interior life and to demonstrating how to live out the principles of service
contemplation. and love in their day-to-day lives.

The Bishop of Hippo was a pastor who considered 3. He further argued that the clergy's spiritual health
himself to be and defined himself as “Servant of directly impacts the congregation's well-being,
Christ, and Servant of the servants of Christ” (Eph. highlighting the interconnectedness of community
1:17), and who accepted the full consequences of life.
such a definition complete availability for the needs of
SERVICE AS A FORM OF LOVE:
the faithful, the desire not to be saved without them
(“I do not wish to be saved without you, prayer to God In Augustine's philosophy, service to others is a
to be ever ready to die for them, love for those who manifestation of love, rooted in the love of God. He
go astray even if they did not desire love and even if believed that serving others helps fulfill the
they gave offense. Let them say against us whatever commandment to love one's neighbor, and it is
they will; we love them even if they do not want us through service that individuals embody the essence
to” (Serm. 17, 2; Ps. 36, 3, 19). He was a pastor in the of Christianity. This approach fosters deeper
full sense of the word. connections within the community while cultivating a
greater sense of purpose and fulfillment in one's Augustine viewed the Sacred Scriptures as the highest
spiritual journey authority for Christian doctrine and morality. He
believed that the Bible was divinely inspired and that,
IMPACT ON MODERN CHRISTIANITY
despite being written by human hands, it
1. Augustine's teachings on service have profoundly communicated God's will and truth. Augustine often
influenced contemporary Christian thought and cited Scripture in his theological writings and used it
practices, reinforcing the idea that faith must be to address heresies such as Manichaeism, Donatism,
reflected in action. and Pelagianism.

2. Many modern Christian communities emphasize His famous maxim, "I would not believe the Gospel,
service as a core component of their mission, inspired had not the authority of the Catholic Church moved
by Augustine's examples of love and commitment me," demonstrates how Augustine saw the Church's
authority as confirming the authority of the Bible, but
3. His impact on Christian theology continues to shape he ultimately regarded Scripture as the rule of faith.
discussions on the role of ethics in faith, reminding
believers of their responsibility toward each other 3. Scripture and Theology

Augustine’s theological system, especially his

doctrines of grace, original sin, and predestination,
LESSON 12 was deeply rooted in his interpretation of the Bible.
SAINT AUGUSTINE'S DEPENDENCE ON THE SACRED He frequently used Pauline theology, especially
SCRIPTURES passages from Romans and the Psalms, to develop his
understanding of the human condition, divine grace,
Saint Augustine's dependence on the Sacred and salvation.
Scriptures was central to his theological reflections
and personal conversion. His relationship with the His City of God also weaves together a scriptural
Bible evolved over time, becoming a cornerstone of interpretation of history, contrasting the "City of God"
his thought, spiritual life, and pastoral work. with the "City of Man," using Scripture as a framework
to explain God’s providential plan for humanity.
Here’s how this dependence on Scripture manifested:
i. Personal Conversion and Scripture 4. Allegorical Interpretation

ii. Scripture as the Ultimate Authority Augustine contributed significantly to the

development of biblical hermeneutics.
iii. Scripture and Theology
 He emphasized that Scripture could be read on
iv. Allegorical Interpretation multiple levels, including literal, moral, and allegorical.
v. Pastoral Use of Scripture  He often used an allegorical approach to reconcile
difficult or seemingly contradictory passages,
vi. Mystical and Spiritual Reflection especially in the Old Testament.
vii. Scripture in the Liturgy  His work On Christian Doctrine (De Doctrina
Christiana) outlined principles for interpreting
1. Personal Conversion and Scripture
Scripture, stressing charity (love) as the key to
Augustine's famous conversion experience, recounted understanding the Bible correctly.
in his Confessions, involved a direct encounter with
5. Pastoral Use of Scripture
Scripture. He heard a child's voice say, "Take up and
read" (tolle lege), which led him to open a copy of As a bishop, Augustine constantly turned to the Bible
Paul’s Epistle to the Romans. The passage he read to guide his pastoral ministry. His sermons and letters
(Romans 13:13- 14) played a decisive role in his are full of scriptural references as he sought to
conversion to Christianity. This moment marked the instruct, correct, and encourage his flock. He saw
beginning of Augustine's deep reliance on the Bible Scripture as the primary tool for teaching Christians
for spiritual and moral guidance. how to live a virtuous life and deepen their
relationship with God.
2. Scripture as the Ultimate Authority
6. Mystical and Spiritual Reflection
Augustine also found in Scripture a source for Augustine was a pioneer in developing methods of
personal contemplation and prayer. He believed that interpreting Scripture. He stressed the importance of
Scripture, when read with the right heart and mind, reading the Bible both literally and allegorically,
could lead the soul to a deeper union with God. His believing that deeper, spiritual meanings were often
Confessions are filled with scriptural allusions, and he embedded in the text. His writings in City of God
often engaged in deep meditations on the Psalms, illustrate how Old Testament events foreshadowed
which he loved for their expressions of human New Testament realities, emphasizing the unity and
emotion and relationship with God. coherence of Scripture.

7. Scripture in the Liturgy 4. The Role of Scripture in Spiritual Growth

Augustine also viewed Scripture as essential to the Augustine believed that Scripture nourished the soul
liturgy. He saw it not only as something to be read and and was essential for spiritual growth. Through
studied but as something to be lived and celebrated prayerful reading and meditation on Scripture,
within the worshiping community. For Augustine, the believers could grow closer to God and better
Eucharist was intimately tied to Scripture, as he understand His will. He encouraged frequent study of
believed that in the liturgy, the Word of God was the Bible, stating that it was a continuous source of
made present both in the readings and in the renewal and grace for Christians throughout their
sacrament. lives.

SAINT AUGUSTINE’S ADVOCACY FOR THE BIBLE 5. Scripture as a Tool for the Church’s Unity

Here are some key points from his advocacy: Augustine also saw the Bible as essential for
maintaining doctrinal unity in the Church. He argued
i. The Bible as God’s Revelation
that Scripture should be the foundation for all
ii. Scripture as a Guide for Moral Loving Christian teaching and practice, helping to resolve
doctrinal disputes. His battles against heresies, such as
iii. Allegorical and Literal Interpretation of Scripture Manichaeism and Pelagianism, involved careful
iv. The Role of Scripture in Spiritual Growth scriptural exegesis to defend orthodox Christian
teachings.
v. Scripture as a Tool for the Church’s Unity
The following are some key sources that detail Saint
1. The Bible as God's Revelation Augustine’s dependence on the Sacred Scriptures:
Augustine viewed the Bible as the ultimate source of • Saint Augustine’s Confessions This autobiographical
divine truth. He believed that through Scripture, God work recounts Augustine’s personal conversion and
reveals His will and plan for humanity. In Confessions, his deepening relationship with Scripture. Particularly,
Augustine shares how his reading of Scripture, his encounter with Romans 13:13-14 plays a pivotal
especially the letters of Paul, played a pivotal role in role.
his conversion to Christianity. He described Scripture
as "the voice of God," guiding believers to understand • On Christian Doctrine (De Doctrina Christiana)
the truth about themselves and their relationship with Augustine's treatise on biblical interpretation and
God. hermeneutics. He outlines the principles for
interpreting Scripture and emphasizes charity as
2. Scripture as a Guide for Moral Living central to understanding the Bible.
For Augustine, the Bible was a moral compass that • City of God (De Civitate Dei) In this monumental
directed Christians toward righteous living. In On work, Augustine uses Scripture to develop a
Christian Doctrine, he argues that Scripture provides theological vision of history, contrasting the "City of
the principles needed for ethical decision-making and God" with the "City of Man," and exploring God's
living a virtuous life. Augustine believed that by providence.
internalizing biblical teachings, Christians could grow
in charity (love of God and neighbor), which he saw as • Sermons and Letters Augustine's numerous sermons
the highest Christian virtue. and letters are filled with scriptural references. These
texts provide practical examples of how he relied on
3. Allegorical and Literal Interpretation of Scripture the Bible to guide his pastoral ministry.
 soul,” (Acts. 4:32) in this case, soul can also be
translated as mind - signifying a unity that
transcended mere acquaintanceship.

They were a closely-knit family, bound by their faith in

Secondary Sources on Augustine’s Theology: Christ.

1. Augustine of Hippo: A Biography by Peter Brown – Their generosity extended beyond mere material
A comprehensive biography that delves into sharing; it reflected their deep spiritual unity and
Augustine's intellectual and spiritual development, commitment to following Jesus. They held all
including his use of Scripture. possessions in common, emphasizing a selfless,
Christcentered unity where individual interests
2. Saint Augustine the Preacher by John E. Rotelle – yielded to the needs of the collective.
Focuses on Augustine’s use of Scripture in his sermons
and pastoral care. Their foremost value was their commitment to living
out the teachings of Jesus. They prioritized love,
3. The Theology of Augustine by Matthew Levering – selflessness, and a deep concern for the well-being of
This work explores Augustine’s theological their fellow believers.
contributions, particularly his reliance on Scripture for
his doctrines of grace, sin, and salvation. Their shared values were deeply rooted in their faith,
which taught them to love their neighbors as
LESSON 14 themselves and to care for those in need
KEY POINTS  Their shared priority was the welfare of the
This passage paints a beautiful picture of the early community. They placed a high value on ensuring that
Christian community, highlighting their unity, no one among them was in need, and they took
generosity, and unwavering faith. deliberate steps to achieve this.

1. Unity and Fellowship - Believers were “of one mind  The shared priority was not the accumulation of
and soul” wealth or possessions but the equitable distribution of
resources to guarantee the well-being of every
2. Divine Power and Presence - Apostles working member of the community.
miracles and the people were filled with awe and
reverence, recognizing the divinity of their message.  Their actions were characterized by genuine care,
3. Material Generosity - Believers sold their selflessness, and a commitment to collective welfare.
possessions and shared the proceeds  That passage serves as a powerful reminder of the
4. Spiritual Unity - Praying together strengthen their importance of selflessness and collective care within
spiritual bond and deepen their reliance on God. the body of Christ, highlighting the enduring
significance of these shared values and priorities in
UNITY AND GENEROSITY AMONG THE EARLY Christian communities throughout history
CHRISTIANS
The emphasis was on communal living and willingness
Unity and Generosity are the features of life in the to support each other.
early Church. All the believers were of one heart and
soul. They were gathered together and had shared Even in situations where communal living is not
everything in common. practiced, the principles of unity, generosity, and
mutual support can be applied in several ways.
UNITY AND GENEROSITY AMONG THE EARLY
CHRISTIANS They sold their property and possessions 1. Shared Resources
to give to anyone who had a need. (Acts 2:45) 2. Fellowship and Support
Part of this unity and generosity finds its impetus in 3. Generosity
the depth of fellowship and harmonious relationship
that existed among the early Christians. 4. Stewardship

The early Christian community displayed remarkable 5. Maintaining a Sense of Unity

unity and generosity. They lived as “one heart and
 Augustine wrote The Rule about ten years after he
had been baptized by Bishop Ambrose in Milan. In
1. SHARED RESOURCES:
397, Augustine had already been through a certain
Modern Christian communities can foster a sense of period experience of the religious life, for his first
shared resources, not just materially but also in terms foundation had taken place in 388 at Tagaste.
of time, talents, and skills. This can include pooling
As a priest, he founded a monastery for clerics in his
resources to support those in need or undertaking
bishop’s house in Hippo (395-396).
communal projects.
It was there that Augustine wrote The Rule. The Rule
2. FELLOWSHIP AND SUPPORT:
of Augustine stems from the early period of religious
Christian communities can emulate the early believers life. The Egyptian desert can be considered the cradle
by offering fellowship and support to one another. of the movement, which later came to be referred to
This may involve praying for and with one another, in general as the “religious life”.
providing emotional support, and being there for
It was probably around 370 that the monastic form of
fellow believers in times of joy and challenge.
life began to appear in the West, only 30 years before
3. GENEROSITY: the first extant Western monastic rule, that Augustine
was written
Christians can embody the spirit of generosity by
being willing to give to the less fortunate, both within  The Rule is the summary of the oral conferences
the community and outside of it. This can include which Augustine held for his monks.
charitable initiatives, volunteering, or simply helping a
 The ideas are not teased out; they are simply
neighbor in need.
rendered in a very concise manner.
4. STEWARDSHIP:
 The fundamental ideas of The Rule are built up
Recognizing that all we have belongs to God, modern around the ideal of the Jerusalem community from
Christian communities can encourage responsible Acts 4:31- 35. Love and community here have a pride
stewardship of resources, including financial of place; a good community life is nothing other than
resources, to ensure that they are used for the the practice of love.
common good and in alignment with God’s purposes
• The way of interiorization is repeatedly applied in
5. MAINTAINING A SENSE OF UNITY: The Rule; the external alone is not sufficient, for it
symbolizes what happens inwardly.
Encouraging unity within the community is vital. This
involves resolving conflicts peacefully, upholding • The final characteristic is the almost total absence of
shared values, and working towards common goals in emphasis on “ascetism” that is leading on an ascetical
a harmonious manner. life in a material sense by denying oneself food and
drink, or by self-chastisement.
A. THE RULE OF SAINT AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO
• The ascent shifts more to life in community as a
This book, The Rule was written by Augustine circa victory over self-seeking.
396-397. Biblical and evangelical foundations form a
permanent structure of The Rule. The Rule governs charity, poverty, obedience,
detachment from the world, the apportionment of
 It guarantees The Rule’s value throughout changing labor, the inferiors, fraternal charity, prayer in
times and cultures. common, fasting and abstinence proportionate to the
 This book contains 35 Biblical references: strength of the individual, care for the sick, silence
and reading during meals.
 27 books from the New Testament; and

 8 books from the Old Testament.

According to TJ Van Bavel, The Rule is adopted by

more than 40 Religious Orders and 30 Clerical
Congregations.
 c. Humility as the positive factor, and pride as the
negative factor.
B. THE PURPOSE AND THE CHARACTER OF THE RULE
Features of Community:
1. The main purpose of The Rule: to live harmoniously
intent upon God in oneness of mind and heart; and, being a WAY towards God, and with one another.
sharing everything in common according to each one’s Free person is detached from earthly goods in order
need (Acts 4:32-34). to follow Christ faithfully and sincerely. “Why is it
difficult for sisters and brothers to be one in Christ?
This work gives the impression of being a summary of
oral conferences which Augustine held for his monks They are struggling among themselves for the
possessions of the earth. “Do not give the same
2. It covers only few pages and its principal purpose is
amount to everyone, but give to each person what
to offer some important thoughts which can provide
he/she personally needs.”
inspiration.
Affluence of the few – cancer of society at that time:
3. Its fundamental ideas are built up around the ideal
few rich, many poor cause social problems during the
of the Jerusalem community from Acts 4:32-35
time of Augustine.
4. It stresses on the importance of community life,
2. PRAYER AND COMMUNITY
particularly on the principles and practices for
communal living, prayer and service. a. Fixed times for common prayer

5. It emphasizes on simplicity, obedience, humility, b. Opportunity for individual prayer

and the pursuit of God through a life of prayer and
c. Basic law of prayer
contemplation.
d. Practical norms for the singing of Psalms and hymns
C.THE STRUCTURE OF THE RULE
There must be faithful perseverance in prayer at
 The basic ideal: Mutual love is expressed in
appointed one. Place of prayer shall be used for no
community of goods and in humility.
purpose other than prayer. The basic law of prayer is
 Those who urge to form a religious community have the “heart in prayer”.
to put the following precepts into practice: live
3. COMMUNITY AND THE CARE OF THE BODY
together in harmony, being of one mind and one
heart on the way to God; share everything in a. Moderation/Temperance in eating and drinking
common.
b. Reading during meals
1. THE BASIC IDEAL: LOVE AND COMMUNITY
c. Difference in treatment according to the person in
 The first community of Jerusalem is the model question
community of one’s heart and one mind on the way to
God: honor God in one another ... on the way to God. d. Care of/for the sick Asceticism is denying one’s self
 The members share in one another’s life of faith. – something which is lawful with the intention of
strengthening one’s self so that one is able to offer
 The community of goods is the first realization of resistance to disordered desires and to avoid
community life. Community life is not blind becoming prey to longing for the unlawful.
uniformity, but requires the recognition of each
person’s nature and disposition. Silver and gold represent a call of mercy and
humanity, but for a selfish person, they represent the
 Humility is considered as the positive factor of road to greediness. Greater possessions do not take
community life, and pride is considered as the people’s thirst but increases it.
negative factor of community life.

There are three fundamental principles of community

life:

a. Living together in love

b. Community of goods
4. MUTUAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR ONE ANOTHER 3. Attitude towards the young in the monastery who
have not yet reached adulthood
1. General norms of irreproachable conduct.
Whoever hates his brother is a murderer. Hatred is
2. Irreproachable conduct and one’s inner attitude
malevolence towards the other, e.g. wishing death.
towards those of the other sex.
Love is benevolence towards the other, e.g. wishing
3. Common responsibility for one another’s fault.
fullness of life.
4. Responsibility must be expressed in correction.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sinned
5. Procedure to be followed in correcting others: against us. If not fulfilled becomes a life in two counts:
what we say is not true; we do not keep our
a. First, the person at fault is to be warned by the agreements to God. To forgive is seeing to it that the
person who has noticed it; other is no longer treated as guilty in one’s regard.
b. Then, the one in charged with responsibility for the 7. LOVE IN AUTHORITY AND OBEDIENCE
community is to be called in;
1. Obey your superior
c. Later, a number of people should be informed of
the situation; 1. Duty of the superior: to serve in love, to guide; and
to be an example
d. Finally, the transgressor’s faults are to be pointed
out to him in the presence of the whole community 1. Obedience is an act of compassion. By obedience,
show example of good works. Let him admonish the
6. This manner of acting holds also as the method for unruly. Cheer the faint hearted. Support the weak,
the correction of other faults. and be patient toward all (1 Tim. 5:14).
The eye is the herald of the heart. “Clothes make not The word “Monk” came from the Greek word
the man, rather our attitude towards life makes us “Monos”, which means one.
what we are”. God does not seek a handsome
appearance, but a good heart. It is in the human heart Praepositus is the term used for the person who is
that our actions are formed. responsible for the community; equivalent to prior

If freedom and idealism disappeared, religious life Monasterium is an open community where there is a
loses all sense and meaning. Intention of punishment room for people coming from outside the circle of
is to help wrongdoer to see the error in his ways. friends and relatives. Christ is the only Interior
Fraternal correction is significant in community life. Teacher. Obedience is the way of showing mercy and
Deeper aim of fraternal correction is to set the compassion, not of slavish fear. Authority means to be
process of healing in motion of and in service. An office is never considered as an
honor but always a burden, a responsibility. But
5. SERVICE TO ONE ANOTHER sometimes, there are temptations to domination.
1. Clothing held in common. There should be nothing There are persons in position who are tempted to
about your clothing to attract attention. You should consolidate their own power than to use their position
not seek to please by your appeal, but by a good life. as a service for the good of others.
2. Concern for the interests of the community as a 8. CONCLUDING EXHORTATION
criterion for progress
1. Desire for spiritual beauty
3. Public baths and care for the sick
2. Freedom under grace
4. Looking after one another in all physical needs.
3. The life aroma of Christ
Love is the basic law of community life.
4. As in the mirror
6. LOVE AND CONFLICT
Spiritual beauty is the beauty realized in our way of
1. Do not allow quarrels to grow into hatred. Avoid living the practice of love.
quarrels. Apologize. Forgive. Pardon. You are to love
one another with a spiritual rather than earthly love.
2. Mutual forgiveness
In conclusion, The Rule serves as guide for those who
want to follow Christ in the religious life. It ends with
a song of praise to the Lord.

The Rule is intended as a call to a life in joy and

freedom made possible by the abundance of God’s
grace. The final sentence of The Rule reveals three-
fold structures: present, past, and future:

1. If you find that your actions match what you read in

this mirror; then give thanks to the Lord, the Giver of
every good (PRESENT).

2. But if you see that you have failed in the past, then,
pray that God will forgive your guilt. Be sorry for the
past (PAST).

3. And as for the future, ask God that you will not be
put to the test. Be on guard for the future, praying
that you will be forgiven by your fault and not be led
to temptation (FUTURE)