The City of God · Chapter
Reasons for Burying the Bodies of the Saints explained
Augustine argues that the bodies of the righteous and faithful should be treated with honor and care, as they were instruments of the Holy Spirit.
What happens
Augustine argues that the bodies of the righteous and faithful should be treated with honor and care, as they were instruments of the Holy Spirit. He emphasizes that burial rites are not for the dead, who cannot feel, but are pious acts that please God and affirm faith in the resurrection. The lack of such rites in disasters like the sack of Rome is neither a fault of the living nor a harm to the dead.
Themes in this chapter
Morality and Virtue vs. Pagan Corruption
Augustine contrasts Christian piety in caring for the dead with pagan neglect, emphasizing virtuous acts of burial as pleasing to God.
Sin, Grace, and Redemption
The discussion of burial rites underscores faith in the resurrection and God's providence over the dead, pointing to redemption beyond physical death.
Characters to notice
- Augustine
Author and theologian, arguing for the proper care of the bodies of the saints.
- Jesus Christ
Commends the woman who anointed Him for burial and is buried with honor.
- Tobit
Commended by the angel for burying the dead, pleasing God.
Key passages
“For if the dress of a father, or his ring, or anything he wore, be precious to his children, in proportion to the love they bore him, with how much more reason ought we to care for the bodies of those we love, which they wore far more closely and intimately than any clothing!”
Just as children treasure a father's clothing or ring because of their love for him, we should care even more for the bodies of our loved ones, since the body is more intimately connected to a person than any garment.
Augustine uses a familial analogy to emphasize the sacredness of the human body.
“And Tobit, according to the angel’s testimony, is commended, and is said to have pleased God by burying the dead.”
The angel testified that Tobit pleased God through his act of burying the dead.
Biblical reference supporting the virtue of burying the dead.
“Consequently, though in the sack of Rome and of other towns the dead bodies of the Christians were deprived of these last offices, this is neither the fault of the living, for they could not render them; nor an infliction to the dead, for they cannot feel the loss.”
Therefore, even though during the sack of Rome and other cities Christians' bodies were left unburied, the living are not to blame (since they could not perform the rites), and the dead suffer no harm (since they cannot feel the absence).
Augustine absolves Christians of guilt and reassures that the dead are unaffected by lack of burial.