DAY 36 - CLOTHED IN THE MASTER

Augustine realized he had spent over 11 years "hunting the treasure" of wisdom rather than actually embracing it when found. In a state of intense anguish and shame, Augustine retreated to a garden at his home, followed by his friend Alypius. While crying under a fig tree, he heard a child's voice repeating the words, "Pick it up, read it". Taking this as a divine sign, he opened the letters of the Apostle Paul and read a passage (Romans 13:13-14) instructing him to "clothe yourself in the master Jesus Christ" and abandon worldly desires. This moment ended his doubt; he and Alypius both committed their lives to Christ.