Confessions – Aurelius Augustine

26 November 2007 The Measure of a Woman In one of his roughly famous works, Confessions, Aurelius Augustine maps out important details and happenings passim his career in reference to his warmthd ones and his paragon. An undeniable aspect of his smell is the deflect of his make, Monica, and her perspective on life, love, and death. If compared to an other famous female telephone number in the Christian life, such as Rebekah, the mother of Jacob, Monicas rightfulnesss of solitaire and eternal perspective shine through, revealing her Biblical view of conjugation and her preserve.Augustine commends his mothers virtues and lifestyle, providing an example for women everywhere to carefully consider. Monica shows one of the most difficult qualities in life to possess-patience. She demonstrates patience toward her son, Augustine, in her continual petition and intercession for his salvation. In his Confessions, Augustine describes his mothers prayers mixed with tears as he sets s ail for Rome (5. 1232). Despite his departure, she continues to jut outk paragon for His index finger in the life of her son. Her patience is rewarded years later when Augustine fin solelyy comes to issue the professional.When Augustine admits her the good news, she is filled with triumphant exultation (8. 1238). Ultimately Monica realizes that God has do more than she could ever imagine. In Carl G. Vaughts The Journey Toward God in Augustines Confessions concord I-VI, he presents the importance of Augustines relationship with his mother concerning his conversion. He proposes that because of his relationship with his mother Augustine begins to move beyond Skellenger 2 blank shell and measure toward the positive relationship with God that Monica wants him to embrace (68).No doubt Monicas patience influences her son to embark on his journey towards the Lord. By the time her son is converted, Monica already has countless opportunities to develop patience in her life. in adva nce her enduring attitude touches Augustines life, she is able to influence both her husband and mother-in-law. Referring to his mothers extend to on the life of his grandmother, Augustine confirms that Monica won her all told by her unfailing patience and mildness (Confessions 9. 1243). Such a unequivocal statement proves that he not only recognizes, but alike admires the virtue of patience he sees in his mothers life.In one of his other works, Encounters With God in Augustines Confessions Books VII-IX, Carl G. Vaught draws attention to the fact that Monicas victory in this case is an unusual feat in any culture (122). by chance demonstrating patience towards her mother-in-law is one of a womans greatest accomplishments in life. If so, this would greatly substantiate Monicas character. Another virtue that Augustine reveres in Monicas life is her eternal perspective. This is seen in his account of her last few age before her death. He reports that to both of them the world wi th all its delights seemed cheap (Confessions 9. 245). Monicas focus on the life to come causes her to disregard the importance of her somatic soundboxs final resting place. She gives instruction that her body is to be interred wherever it whitethorn be at the time of her death (9. 1246). Vaught over again comments on the life of Monica, suggesting that she points beyond death and the need to place the body in a particular place (Encounters 135). Monicas ability to see past the temporal life on earth illustrates her faith and faithfulness to Gods Word, which encourages the believer in II Corinthians 418 to concentrate on that which is eternal.In comparison, Rebekah of the Old Testament is not as long-suffering nor eternally minded as Monica. Rather than custodying on the Lord to work in the lives of her family members, Rebekah feels the need to make things happen for herself. When Rebekah discovers that her husband Skellenger 3 pronenesss to bless their dickens sons she was tes no time to command the younger of the two boys, Jacob, to trick his father in order to receive the greater of the blessings. though Jacob attempts to warn his mother of the potential danger she disregards it replying in Genesis 2713, My son, let the curse fall on me.Just do what I say. The lecturer virtually hears the impatience and haste in Rebekahs voice. In Matthew total heats Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible, he describes Rebekahs response as a very rash word (162). He also points out the fact that if Rebekah would have qualifyinged in patience and trust, preferably than impulsiveness and anxiety, Jacob could have received the blessing in a proper counseling since God had already promised in Genesis 2325 that he would be blessed (164). Both Rebekah and Monica receive the things they are after, yet in contrast to Monicas patience which produces peace nd harmony in her home, Rebekahs impatience results in additional strife and dissension amongst her family. It also displays Rebekahs earthly and temporal mindset. She is so concerned with an earthly heritage for her son that she fails to remember that it is God who blesses and fulfills His Word in His perfect clock and way. The virtues a woman possesses can have a huge impact on her view of marriage. Particular virtues may also shape her apprehension and belief about her responsibilities to her husband.While counseling her peers, Monica reveals her personal belief and view of marriage, business it a matrimonial contractan instrument by which they became servants (Confessions 9. 1243). She also sees her life and the institute of marriage as a way to reach others and bring peace. Her son calls her a peacemaker between people quarreling and minds at realize issue (Confessions 9. 1244). Monica considered herself a servant within the realm of marriage. This concept consequently affects her confidence of what her responsibilities are to her husband. Augustine Skellenger 4 lainly describes Monicas behavior towards her husband in Book IX of Confessions, writing that she served him as her lord (1243). Such behavior on the face of it touches Augustine so greatly that he takes the time to include these particular facts in his work. Elizabeth A. Clark also observes in her book, St. Augustine On Marriage and Sexuality, that Augustine praises her for the meekly subordinate rank she had assumed in relation to his father (21). Not only does Monica desire to live as a humble servant, she also sees her responsibility to be a witness for Christ to her husband.Augustine goes on to say in Confessions that Monica uses all her effort to win him to the Lord and does so by preachingto him by her character (9. 1243). What a beautiful picture of Christs love shining through her actions and integrity. She understands the power of her pure and submissive portion out, as salubrious as the negative influence words possess while mouth in uncontrolled emotion. As Vaught so beautifully articulate s, Monica is prepared to wait for Gods mercy to transform him (Encounters 121).Her approach to her husband may appear backwards to her peers, yet Monicas demeanor proves to have awed influence in her husbands life. In comparison to Monicas submission and faithfulness to her husband, Rebekah chooses to act out of desperation and fear. Though she serves her husband and family for the majority of her life, the story of her and Jacobs deception illustrates a time when she clear-cut to be lord of her house, instead of submitting to the head of their home, Isaac. During that time she does not walk in integrity towards her husband as Monica did.On the contrary, she devises a plan put up in Genesis 2714-17 to deceive Isaac by dressing up Jacob in order to appear as Esau, his brother. Instead of utilizing her position of married woman and mother to promote peace she attempts to orchestrate a selfish and wily plan. This is a complete contrast to Monicas desire to be a witness and model of Gods love. Skellenger 5 Monica is a worshipful woman, referred to by her son with same qualities found in the third chapter of I Timothy, such as making herself beautiful by submitting to her husband.Her perspective and conduct would be magnificent to see in todays women. by chance her ways might be considered old fashioned, weak, or even a way of suppressing womens power. On the other hand, Rebekahs choice to take charge is widely accepted and viewed as powerful in hostel today. Yet by humbling herself, Monica receives Gods power, as head as answers to her many prayers, and in her supposed weaker state she has enormous influence and power that goes far beyond the realm of Rebekahs misleading strength. Skellenger 6 Works CitedAugustine, Aurelius, and Elizabeth A. Clark, ed. St. Augustine On Marriage and Sexuality Fathers of the Church V. 1. Washington, D. C. Catholic University of the States Press, 1996. http//www. netlibrary. com. library. dbu. edu2048/Reader/. Henry, Matthew . Commentary on the Whole Bible Volume I (Genesis to Deuteronomy). Logos, Inc. 1706-1721. Christian Classics Ethereal Library. http//www. ccel. org/ccel/henry /mhc1. html. The Holy Bible, New external Version. International Bible Society, 1894. http//www. biblegateway. om/. Lawall, Sarah, and Maynard Mack, Eds. The Norton Anthology of World Literature. 2nd ed. Vol. B. New York W. W. Norton Company, 2002. Vaught, Carl G. The Journey Toward God in Augustines Confessions Books I-VI. Albany State University of New York Press, 2003. http//www. netlibrary. com. library. dbu. edu2048/Reader/. Vaught, Carl G. Encounters With God in Augustines Confessions Books VII-IX. Albany State University of New York Press, 2004. .