Confessions – Aurelius Augustine

26 November 2007 The Measure of a Woman In iodin of his most famous works, Confessions, Aurelius Augustine maps out important details and happenings throughout his life in reference to his loved ones and his divinity fudge. An undeniable aspect of his life is the influence of his amaze, Monica, and her place on life, love, and death. If comp atomic number 18d to another famous female figure in the rescuerian life, such as Rebekah, the become of Jacob, Monicas virtues of persistence and eternal spot shining through, revealing her Biblical overtake of marriage and her husband.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- exertion. She demonstrates assiduity toward her son, Augustine, in her continual prayer and intercession for his salvation. In his Confessions, Augustine describes his mothers prayers mixed with tears as he sets sail f or Rome (5. 1232). Despite his departure, she continues to look God for His power in the life of her son. Her diligence is rewarded years later when Augustine finally comes to know the Lord.When Augustine look ats her the good news, she is filled with triumphant exultation (8. 1238). Ultimately Monica realizes that God has done more than she could ever imagine. In Carl G. Vaughts The Journey Toward God in Augustines Confessions Book I-VI, he presents the importance of Augustines tattleship with his mother concerning his conversion. He proposes that because of his relationship with his mother Augustine begins to move beyond Skellenger 2 space and time 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. Before her enduring mental attitude touches Augustines life, she is able to influence both her husband and mother-in-law. Referring to his mothers impact on the life of his grandmother, Augustine confirms that Monica won her completely by her unfailing patience and mildness (Confessions 9. 1243). Such a straightforward statement proves that he not only recognizes, but as well 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 each culture (122). Perhaps 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 days before her death. He reports that to both of them the world with all its delights seemed cheap (Confessions 9. 245). Monicas focus on the life to come causes her to disregard the importance of her physical bodys final resting place. She gives instruction that her body is to be buried wheresoever it may be at the time of her death (9. 1246). Vaught 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 obedience to Gods Word, which encourages the truster in II Corinthians 418 to concentrate on that which is eternal.In comparison, Rebekah of the Old Testament is not as patient nor eternally minded as Monica. kind of than waiting 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 desires to bless their two sons she wastes no time to ask 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 propagation 2713, My son, let the curse fall on me.Just do what I say. The reader virtually hears the impatience and haste in Rebekahs voice. In Matthew hydrogens 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 walked in patience and trust, rather than impulsiveness and anxiety, Jacob could have received the blessing in a proper way 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 inheritance for her son that she fails to remember that it is God who blesses and fulfills His Word in His perfect timing and way. The virtues a woman possesses can have a huge impact on her view of marriage. Particular virtues may also shape her understanding and belief about her responsibilities to her husband.While counseling her peers, Monica reveals her personal belief and view of marriage, calling 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 discord (Confessions 9. 1244). Monica considered herself a servant within the realm of marriage. This concept consequently affects her opinion 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 superior (1243). Such beh avior apparently 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 position 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 conduct, as well as the negative influence words possess spot spoken in uncontrolled emotion. As Vaught so beautifully articulates, 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 amazing influence in her husbands life. In comparison to Monicas abidance 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 decided 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 found 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 wife and mother to promote peace she attempts to manoeuvre a selfish and cunning plan. This is a complete contrast to Monicas desire to be a witness and model of Gods love. Skellenger 5 Monica is a Godly 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. Perhaps 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 society today. besides by humbling herself, Monica receives Gods power, as well as answers to her many prayers, and in her supposed weaker state she has enormous influence and power that goes utmost 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 America 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. or g/ccel/henry /mhc1. html. The Holy Bible, New International Version. International Bible Society, 1894. http//www. biblegateway. om/. Lawall, Sarah, and Maynard Mack, Eds. The Norton Anthology of World Literature. second 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. .