Our Two Cities

Augustine’s City of the World is loud,
and calls us with a thousand constant voices,
but his City of God amidst the crowd
insists in whispers we still have clear choices.

God rules His City, thus its choice is good,
the World where Satan rules is not all bad,
but keeps us far from doing what we should,
and finally leaves us here more sad than glad.

Father of Lies--makes bad things look good now,
but listened to, God’s City helps us learn
the moral rules of right and wrong and how
to exercise our duty to discern.

Though we may choose the World since, Lord, we’re free,
“our hearts are restless ‘til they rest in Thee.”*

*famous Augustine quote

(Inspired by a wonderful homily yesterday by Fr. John
Meany, O.P. and Lorasman, at his 7:15 a.m. Mass at
St. Paul’s Newman Center, IU, Bloomington, Indiana.)

                                     -- by Pete Voelz       5/1/12