How Augustine began one of his sermons:"Lets take what we have just sung as our topic today. And may the one to whom we have said, "You have held my right hand and have led me by your will and have taken me up in glory" (Ps 72:23), take up our hearts into clearer understanding and help by his mercy and grace both me as I speak and you as you pass judgment. Although I am seen to stand in a higher place so my voice will carry better, you yourselves judge in a higher place and we are judged by you. We are called teachers, but in many respects we seek a teacher, and we do not want to be considered masters. The Lord himself said that that is dangerous and forbidden: "Do not be called masters; one is your master, Christ"(Mt 23:10). The teaching-role [magisterium] is dangerous, then; being a disciple is safe. That is why the Psalm says, "To my hearing you will give joy and gladness" (Ps 50:10). A hearer of the word is safer than a speaker of the word. Thats why John the Baptist safely stands and hears him and rejoices at the voice of the bridegroom (Jn 3:29)."See what the Apostle said because he was obliged to take up the teachers role: "I was with you with fear and trembling" (1 Cor 2:3). The safest thing is that both we who are speaking and you who are listening recognize that we are disciples together of a single master. Beyond any doubt its safest, and most useful, that you listen to us not as masters but as fellow disciples of yours. See what a concern is imposed on us when it is said: "Be ye not many masters, since we all offend in many things" (Jas 3:1-2). Who does not tremble when the Apostle says, "All"? What follows? "Anyone who does not offend in word is a perfect man." Who would dare to say he is perfect? One who stands and listens does not offend in word. Anyone who speaks, however, even if he does not offend (which is difficult), still suffers from fear that he may offend. You, then, must not only listen to those who are speaking, but have mercy on them in their fear, so that when we speak the truth, you praise not us but him (any truth, after all, comes from Truth), and when we offend, you pray for us." (Augustine, Enar. in Ps 23, 1-2)

Rev. Joseph A. Komonchak, professor emeritus of the School of Theology and Religious Studies at the Catholic University of America, is a retired priest of the Archdiocese of New York.

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