Office Of Readings | Tuesday, Lent Week 2 | A Commentary Of Saint Augustine On Psalm 140
‘The passion of the whole body of Christ.’
Saint Augustine
Saint Augustine’s commentary on Psalm 141 presents the suffering of Christ as inseparable from the suffering of the Church. Saint Augustine interprets the Psalmist’s plea—“Lord, I have cried to you, hear me”—as the voice of Christ in his human nature, but also as the voice of his body, the Church. This identification between Christ and the Church is fundamental to Saint Augustine’s theology. The trials of the faithful are not isolated events; they are part of the ongoing participation in the passion of Christ. Just as Christ prayed in anguish in Gethsemane, sweating drops of blood, so too does the Church continue to suffer until the end of time. The martyrdom of believers, both literal and spiritual, is an extension of Christ’s own sacrifice.
Saint Augustine’s meditation on the “evening sacrifice” expands this idea further. Christ’s crucifixion, occurring as the day fades, is understood as the ultimate offering—the moment when Christ, in assuming the burden of human sin, allows himself to be “nailed to the cross” on behalf of all. Yet for Saint Augustine, the cross is not the conclusion; it is a passage to something greater. The evening sacrifice becomes a morning sacrifice in the resurrection, transforming suffering into the promise of new life. This movement from death to life defines the Christian experience.
In interpreting Christ’s cry from the cross—“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”—Saint Augustine rejects the notion that Christ was abandoned by the Father. Instead, Saint Augustine sees these words as an expression of human frailty that Christ willingly takes upon himself. Christ speaks not only for himself but for humanity, giving voice to the suffering of all who experience alienation and distress. Saint Augustine connects this to Saint Paul’s teaching in Romans 6:6: “Our old nature was crucified with him, so that we should no longer be slaves to sin.” The cross, then, is not merely an event of suffering but an instrument of transformation. Through it, the faithful are drawn into Christ’s victory over sin and death.
Saint Augustine’s reflections are deeply shaped by his own journey. Born in 354 in Thagaste, North Africa, Saint Augustine was raised in a divided household, with a Christian mother, Saint Monica, and a pagan father. He spent much of his early life pursuing philosophy and worldly ambitions, but after a long period of inner turmoil, he experienced a dramatic conversion. Baptized by Saint Ambrose in 387, Saint Augustine became a priest and later the Bishop of Hippo. His theological writings, including Confessions and The City of God, would go on to shape Western Christianity. As bishop, Saint Augustine faced the collapse of Roman order, heretical divisions, and the suffering of his people. His reflections on suffering were not merely intellectual but born out of pastoral experience. He understood that the Christian life was marked by struggle but was ultimately directed toward redemption.
A Commentary Of Saint Augustine On Psalm 140
Lord, I have cried to you, hear me. This is a prayer we can all say. This is not my prayer, but that of the whole Christ. Rather, it is said in the name of his body. When Christ was on earth he prayed in his human nature, and prayed to the Father in the name of his body, and when he prayed drops of blood flowed from his whole body. So it is written in the Gospel: Jesus prayed with earnest prayer, and sweated blood. What is this blood streaming from his whole body but the martyrdom of the whole Church?
Lord, I have cried to you, hear me; listen to the sound of my prayer, when I call upon you. Did you imagine that crying was over when you said: I have cried to you? You have cried out, but do not as yet feel free from care. If anguish is at an end, crying is at an end; but if the Church, the body of Christ, must suffer anguish until the end of time, it must not say only: I have cried to you, hear me; it must also say: Listen to the sound of my prayer, when I call upon you.
Let my prayer rise like incense in your sight; let the raising of my hands be an evening sacrifice.
This is generally understood of Christ, the head, as every Christian acknowledges. When day was fading into evening, the Lord laid down his life on the cross, to take it up again; he did not lose his life against his will. Here, too, we are symbolised. What part of him hung on the cross if not the part he had received from us? How could God the Father ever cast off and abandon his only Son, who is indeed one God with him? Yet Christ, nailing our weakness to the cross (where, as the Apostle says: Our old nature was nailed to the cross with him), cried out with the very voice of humanity: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
The evening sacrifice is then the passion of the Lord, the cross of the Lord, the oblation of the victim that brings salvation, the holocaust acceptable to God. In his resurrection he made this evening sacrifice a morning sacrifice. Prayer offered in holiness from a faithful heart rises like incense from a holy altar. Nothing is more fragrant than the fragrance of the Lord. May all who believe share in this fragrance.
Therefore, our old nature in the words of the Apostle, was nailed to the cross with him, in order, as he says, to destroy our sinful body, so that we may be slaves to sin no longer.
Scripture: John 14:27 ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.’ In this verse, Jesus offers his peace to his disciples, a peace that is different from what the world provides. This divine peace is deep, abiding, and capable of calming troubled hearts and dispelling fear. It is a peace that surpasses all understanding and is rooted in the presence and promises of Christ. Prayer Dear Jesus, I come before you, seeking your peace in my life. The world around me is filled with chaos and uncertainty, but I know that your peace can calm the storm within my heart. Help me to trust in you more deeply, to rest in your promises, and to feel your presence in every moment. Fill me with your peace that surpasses all understanding, and help me to be a vessel of your peace to those around me. Amen. Personal Reflection What areas of your life are causing you anxiety or fear? How can you invite Jesus’ peace into these areas? Reflect on a time when you experienced Christ’s peace amidst turmoil. Meditation On Prayer And Gospel John 14:27 reveals a profound truth about the nature of Jesus’ peace. Unlike the fleeting and often superficial peace offered by the world, Jesus’ peace is enduring and deeply transformative. This peace is not dependent on external circumstances but is anchored in the character and promises of Christ. As we navigate through life’s challenges, it’s crucial to understand and embrace this divine peace. Jesus’ peace is rooted in his presence. When he says, ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you,’ Jesus is assuring us of his continual presence. This peace is a gift that flows from his abiding presence in our lives. It is a reminder that we are never alone, no matter what we face. his presence brings comfort and security, allowing us to rest even in the midst of life’s storms. Furthermore, Jesus contrasts his peace with the peace that the world gives. The world’s peace is often conditional and temporary, based on circumstances that can change in an instant. In contrast, Jesus’ peace is steadfast and eternal. It is a peace that reassures us in our deepest fears and anxieties, reminding us that he is in control. This peace transcends our understanding, as it is grounded in the eternal and unchanging nature of God. To experience Jesus’ peace, we must cultivate a relationship with him. This involves spending time in prayer, meditating on his word, and seeking his presence in our daily lives. It also means surrendering our worries and fears to Jesus, trusting that Jesus will provide and protect. As we draw closer to Jesus, his peace fills our hearts and minds, transforming our outlook and calming our spirits. One practical way to embrace Jesus’ peace is through prayer and meditation. By setting aside time each day to be still before the Lord, we create space for his peace to fill us. Reflecting on scriptures like John 14:27 can remind us of his promises and help us focus on his presence. Additionally, practicing gratitude can shift our focus from our worries to the many blessings in our lives, further opening our hearts to his peace. Another aspect of embracing Jesus’ peace is learning to let go of control. Often, our anxiety stems from a desire to control our circumstances. Jesus invites us to trust in his sovereign plan, even when we do not understand it. By surrendering our need for control and placing our trust in Him, we open ourselves to the peace that comes from knowing that He holds all things in his hands. Living in Jesus’ peace also means becoming peacemakers in our relationships and communities. As we experience his peace, we are called to extend that peace to others. This involves forgiving those who have wronged us, seeking reconciliation, and promoting harmony wherever we go. By being agents of his peace, we reflect his love and grace to a world in desperate need of his presence. Prayer Lord Jesus, Your peace is a precious gift that the world cannot give. In times of turmoil and distress, remind me to turn to you. Let your peace guard my heart and mind, dispelling all fear and anxiety. Teach me to trust in your unfailing love and to rest in your promises. Help me to be a peacemaker, sharing your peace with those around me. May your peace reign in my heart, my home, and my relationships. Thank you for your constant presence and the gift of your peace. Amen. Scripture: Matthew 5:9 ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.’ Blessing May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ fill your heart and mind, guiding you through every challenge and bringing you comfort and joy. May you rest in his unending peace and share it generously with those around you. Amen.
We are presented in these Bible verses with a peculiar sense of our understanding of time, our human time, in relation to God’s great plan for our salvation, and to the fact of God’s encompassing all time, from which perspective we are born and pass on within the blink of an eye. ‘A little while… and again, a little while…’ The Greek word, micron, is so translated [ … ]
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Holy Trinity. The Holy Spirit is a person, not a force or energy. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: ‘The Holy Spirit is a personal and uncreated Love, the source and giver of all holiness.’ (CCC 733) This means that the Holy Spirit is not a thing, but rather a divine person who is coequal with God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son [ … ]
