Catholic Classics Day 8: The Power of Temptation (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
Oct 9, 2023
St. Augustine's desires for wisdom and love are discussed, along with the reality and intensity of temptation. The hosts reflect on their own past experiences and the consequences of their actions. The fascination with sorrow and mercy in human nature is explored. The speaker contemplates their past actions and desires for wisdom, including the impact of a book by Cicero. The powerful imagery and fleeting satisfaction of desires are highlighted in St. Augustine's Confessions.
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Carthage Temptations
- St. Augustine's move to Carthage provided more temptations.
- Fr. Gregory Pine compares this to moving to a bigger city with more options for sin.
Love of Love
- St. Augustine confesses to falling in love with love itself, desiring satiation regardless of the object.
- This highlights the danger of filling our hearts with fleeting desires instead of discerning their true worth.
Intense Temptations
- St. Augustine's intense, short-term desires are likened to the urge to scratch a wound, even if it worsens the problem.
- Temptations are urgent and intense but eventually expire, especially with good distractions or companions.