Something from ... Augustine on God's recompense

          This coming Sunday has its focus on the Last Judgment.  With that in mind, St. Augustine of Hippo (354 - 430) has us reflect on God's judgment and how he repays sinners according to both his justice and his grace.

“It is, I think, sufficiently clear that God works in the hearts of men to incline their wills wherever He wills, whether to good deeds according to His mercy, or to evil after their own desserts; His own judgment being sometimes manifest, sometimes secret, but always righteous.” (Augustine, Selections from “On Grace and Free Will,” chapter 43)

“God will, therefore, certainly recompense both evil for evil, because He is just; and good for evil, because He is good; and good for good, because He is good and just; only, evil for good He will never recompense, because He is not unjust.  He will, therefore, recompense evil for evil—punishment for unrighteousness; and He will recompense good for evil—grace for unrighteousness; and He will recompense good for good—grace for grace.” (Augustine, Selections from “On Grace and Free Will,” chapter 45)