

St. Augustine on Love for Confused Lovers I Fr. Andrew Hofer, O.P.
Jul 28, 2025
Fr. Andrew Hofer, O.P., a professor at the Pontifical Faculty of the Dominican House of Studies, dives deep into St. Augustine's turbulent journey of love and longing. He explores the complexities of human and divine affection, inspired by Augustine's own life experiences. Hofer illustrates how love drives us toward goodness and God, and discusses Augustine's transformative quest for true fulfillment in divine love despite earthly distractions. Through reflections on confession and mercy, listeners are encouraged to re-evaluate their own relationships with love.
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Augustine as Prodigal Son
- St. Augustine shares how he was like the prodigal son, squandering God's gifts and then being graciously drawn back.
- His personal story helps us understand the confusion and disorder in human loves before conversion.
Love's First Impulse
- Love is the first impulse of the heart that draws us toward what we perceive as good.
- God, as the highest good, is the ultimate object of our love, even if we perceive it indirectly.
Pear Tree Sin Symbolism
- Augustine recounts stealing pears as a childhood sin done for no good reason but malice.
- This story symbolizes disordered loves and sin's root in loving one's own ruin.