By Fr Pat Amobi Chukwuma
The month of August is here again. It is graded as the eight month of the Lunar Calendar. It is named after the Roman Emperor Augustus Caesar. Formerly the month of August was called Sextilis, a Latin word which means the sixth month, because it was the sixth month in the old Roman calendar. In 8 B.C, the Roman Senate honoured Emperor Augustus by renaming the month after him.
The name ‘Augustus’ means ‘Venerable’ or ‘Consecrated.’ Hence, all those who go by the names Augustus, Augustine and Augustina are venerable. In other words, they are divinely consecrated right from their mothers’ wombs. Therefore, be careful with them and avoid touching God’s anointed.
In the Anglican Communion, there is a hierarchical rank known as Venerable. It could be the equivalent of Monsignor in the Catholic Church. If the ordained Venerable’s name happens to be Augustine or Augustus, then he becomes double venerable.
The term ‘august’ in its adjective form means inspiring, admiring, supreme or dignified. Thus, an august visitor according to Google “refers to a highly respected, important, dignified person who is visiting, or an unexpected visitor with unusual importance or influence.” In other words, a very important person that comes on visit is an august visitor.
An august visitor does not mean a visitor who comes in the month of August. It can be in any month, week, day or time. There was an advert placed on a conspicuous notice board which reads: “An august visitor is urgently wanted. Kindly come in person.” It was placed in the month of June.
A semi illiterate passerby saw it and waited to report there in person in the month of August. Eventually when he went, the landlord dismissed him with a wave of the hand that he has missed the opportunity which was considered from applicants in the month of July. He accused the landlord of deception.
What do we call an undignified person who comes on visit? Probably he or she would be called a locust visitor because he comes as a parasite and has nothing to offer to his host. A locust is a dangerous insect known for its destructive attitude. Hence, a locust visitor is destructive while an august visitor is beneficial. Are you an august visitor or a locust visitor? Your attitude towards others shall tell.
Once upon a time, an unfamiliar man came to my house knocking. When I opened the door, he walked in rascally. He was dressed in nice suit with neck tie and was holding an attractive briefcase. I welcomed him hopefully as august visitor. I offered him an executive seat and asked him, “Sir, what drink can I offer you?” He replied, “Anything green and cold.” I went inside my room and came out with two bottles of cold Heineken beer.
I expected him to drink only one bottle. But before you know it, he drank the two bottles of beer like water. At that particular time he arrived, my lunch has already been served earlier by my cook who went out for an errand. So, I informed the presumed august visitor that there was food on the table, if he was interested we could share it. I went in to bring water for washing of hands. Wonders shall never end. It took me only two minutes. Before I returned, he has already finished my food and was licking the soup plate.
I shouted, “What! By the way, who are you? I thought you are a gentleman and an august visitor.” He proudly replied, “Father, I am a hungry man dressed in gentleman’s attire so that wherever I entered, I will receive a warm welcome and good service. Thanks for the delicious food and cold beer.
If you have any money, please give me for my transport to another destination. I live on divine and human providence.” I shook my head sideways in disbelief and exclaimed, “Stop deceiving people by dressing as an august visitor while you are a locust visitor.” August and locust are two opposing visitors. By their fruits you shall know them.
The month of August has complete 31 days and loaded with spiritual, social and cultural activities. The Nigerian Christian Women especially of Igbo extraction have designated the month of August as the special time of their annual general meetings. It is popularly known as “August Meeting.” Some women who live abroad often come back home for the unique annual gathering.
Formerly, it was a period of latest fashion show and contest. Remember that at creation, God moulded man from the soil of the earth. On the other hand, God fashioned woman with the ribs he extracted from man. Simply put, men were moulded while women were fashioned. That’s why women spend time and resources in fashion. In order to be fashionable, some women engaged in stealing, so as to appear gorgeous during August Meeting.
To curb the menace, it is now mandatory for all Christian Women to attend August Meeting in simple stipulated uniform, so that no one can blame the devil for seducing them into stealing because of attractive fashion. August Meeting attire has been simplified and edified.
During the annual August Meeting, the women gather in parishes and towns for spiritual and social interaction. The women are more united than men. Do you remember the reason? During the scourging and crucifixion of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the menfolk forsook him and ran away. One betrayed him. The other denied him. The red-eyed Jewish men nailed him on the Cross.
But the women sorrowfully accompanied Jesus up to Calvary where he was crucified. They tearfully and prayerfully gathered around the Messiah hanging on the infamous gibbet. Jesus blessed them from the cross and gave them the spirit of unity. There, they formed the Christian (Catholic) Women Organization.
The men who abandoned him and ran away received the spirit of disunity. That’s why men cannot assemble peacefully for successful deliberation. The Christian (Catholic) Men Organization is in disarray in so many parishes and towns.
I wish the Christian Women nationwide God’s journey mercies and protection as they travel home for their annual August Meeting. May they cut their dresses according to their cloths and not according to their sizes, as they raise funds for various church and town projects! We are in the period of high inflation in the country due to bad economic policies and corruption.
Insecurity is also a great threat nowadays. Let us watch and pray. God is never asleep. May Saints Augustine, Augustus and Augustina intercede for the women as they travel and hold their August Meetings nationwide!
I pray that our elected or selected political leaders at different levels of governance in our country Nigeria may be our august leaders and not locust leaders. The former make sacrifices for good of the masses and their constituencies. On the contrary, locust leaders are self-fish and their private pockets are their constituencies. A good product markets itself. By their fruits you know them.
Nigerians are suffering because locust leaders are found en mass in the executive, legislative and judicial arms of government both at the State and Federal levels. As locusts eat up every leaf that they see, so do the locust leaders squander the tax payers’ money without qualms of conscience. Because some locust judges preside over legal matters, the court has ceased to be the last hope of the common man.
Insecurity of lives stare us at the face because locusts are found among the security outfits. Until the rotten tooth is pulled out, the mouth must continue to chew with caution. Economically and security wise, our country Nigeria is sitting on a keg of gun-powder which can explode at any time, if care is not taken. May God deliver us!
