Confessions – Aurelius Augustine

26 November 2007 The Measure of a Woman In one of his most famous tends, Confessions, Aurelius Augustine maps break through important details and run intoings throughout his purport in reference to his loved ones and his beau ideal. An inevitable aspect of his life is the square off of his induce, Monica, and her thought on life, love, and destruction. If compared to an separate famous cleaning ladyish figure in the Christian life, much(prenominal) as Rebekah, the pay off of Jacob, Monicas rectitudes of perseverance and perfect(a) perspective shine through, reveal her Biblical see of marriage and her preserve.Augustine commends his pay offs virtues and lifestyle, providing an example for women ein truthwhere to guardedly consider. Monica shows one of the most difficult qualities in life to possess-forbearance. She demonstrates longanimity toward her son, Augustine, in her unremitting prayer and intercession for his salvation. In his Confessions, Augustine descr ibes his mothers prayers mixed with tears as he sets sail for Rome (5. 1232). disdain his departure, she continues to seek deity for His power in the life of her son. Her patience is rewarded years afterwards when Augustine finally keep an eye ons to know the gentle.When Augustine brings her the good news, she is fill 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 splendor 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 space and prison term toward the lordly relationship with God that Monica wants him to embrace (68).No inquiry Monicas patience solves her son to venture on his journey towards the Lord. By the while her son is converted, Monica already has countless opportunities to resurrect patience in her life. Before her unchangeable attitude touches Augustines life, she is able to influence both(prenominal) her husband and mother-in-law. Referring to his mothers imp make a motion on the life of his grandmother, Augustine confirms that Monica win her comp permitely by her unfailing patience and mildness (Confessions 9. 1243). much(prenominal) a unsophisticated statement proves that he not further 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 triumph in this case is an unusual exertion in any culture (122). whitethornhap 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 h is account of her last some 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 personates final resting holding. She gives instruction that her tree trunk is to be buried wherever 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 proboscis in a crabby place (Encounters 135). Monicas ability to see historical the temporary life on creation illustrates her faith and obedience to Gods intelligence information, which encourages the believer in II Corinthians 418 to concentrate on that which is eternal.In equation, Rebekah of the octogenarian Testament is not as unhurried nor eternally minded as Monica. earlier than clasping on the Lord to work in the pull throughs 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 ii sons she wastes no time to command the jr. of the two boys, Jacob, to trick his give in order to have got the greater of the blessings. though Jacob attempts to warn his mother of the potential peril she disregards it replying in Genesis 2713, My son, let the curse fall on me.Just do what I say. The reader virtually hears the wrath and haste in Rebekahs voice. In Matthew Henrys Concise definition on the Whole Bible, he describes Rebekahs response as a very rash word (162). He similarly points out the fact that if Rebekah would have walked in patience and trust, rather than impulsiveness and anxiety, Jacob could have authorized the blessing in a kosher expression 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 argumentation to Monicas patience which produces peace nd harmony in her home, Rebekahs fidget results in additional strife and discrepancy 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 timing and way. The virtues a woman possesses can have a huge impact on her view of marriage. Particular virtues may also figure her understanding and belief about her responsibilities to her husband.While centering her peers, Monica reveals her personal belief and view of marriage, label it a matrimonial contractan pecker by which they became servants (Confessions 9. 1243). She also sees her life and the lay down 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 at bottom the area of marriage. This concept consequently affects her idea of what her responsibilities are to her husband. Augustine Skellenger 4 lainly describes Monicas expression towards her husband in Book IX of Confessions, writing that she served him as her lord (1243). Such behavior 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 grade 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 source 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 get wind of Christs love promising through her actions and impartiality. She understands the power of her pure and pliable conduct, as well as the minus influ ence words possess epoch spoken in uncontrolled emotion. As Vaught so beautifully articulates, Monica is prepared to wait for Gods mercy to alter him (Encounters 121).Her approach to her husband may reckon backwards to her peers, yet Monicas demeanor proves to have amazing 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 illusion 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 proposal set 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 wife and mother to promote peace she attempts to orchestrate a selfish and cunning plan. This is a make do contrast to Monicas desire to be a witness and model of Gods love. Skellenger 5 Monica is a adoring 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 excellent 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 bearing is widely accepted and viewed as reigning in society today. Yet 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 far beyond the realm of Rebekahs misleading strength. Skellenger 6 work CitedAugustine, Aurelius, and Elizabeth A. Clark, ed. St. Augustine On Marriage and Sexuality Fathers of the church service V. 1. Washington, D. C. Catholic University of Ameri ca Press, 1996. http//www. netlibrary. com. library. dbu. edu2048/Reader/. Henry, Matthew. commentary on the Whole Bible ledger I (Genesis to Deuteronomy). Logos, Inc. 1706-1721. Christian Classics Ethereal Library. http//www. ccel. org/ccel/ atomic number 1 /mhc1. html. The Holy Bible, naked as a jaybird 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. capital of New York 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. .