I just realized that I mistakenly read the first sentence of your response. I've always found it easier to get into books as heavy as The Confessions if I start by reading random pages first. That finding of a few hooks always impells me to go back and start at the beginning.
Forget the Preface and Introduction with your first reading of it.
Coolest of all is realizing Confessions isn't directed to the reader, but rather the entirety is a prayer to God, in the form of a prolonged General Confession.
I'd recommend the Helms translation available by Paraclete Press.
Among my top 100 quotes from it is:
"How sweet it has been to me to be deprived of the miserable delights of a frivolous world.
And what incomparable joy I have felt after a privation once so dressed."
As for the first, will do. Looking forward to reading it.
As for the second, I believe it was Fr. Cajetan da Bergamo's "Humility of Heart". If I'm mistaken about the source, it assuredly can be verified by Googling "Septimus Severus' Last Words".
I really needed to read this today! Thank you! It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by a world of infinite distractions that leave one empty. I was getting stuck in a poor me rut and you helped shine a light on what matters . Have a most blessed day!
Thank-you, brother, for sharing this piece.
Two quotes come to mind:
1. From Augustine's "Confessions", Liber VI, caput XI :
" Being enamoured of a happy life, I yet feared it in it's own abode, and fleeing from it, sought after it."
2. From the Roman Emperor Septimus Severus, on his deathbed, and having something of a glimpse of his eminent Eternity, his last words were :
"I have been everything,
and everything is nothing!"
-- Ad multos annos!
+ Pax, frater +
Need to read "Confessions" ASAP. It's next up on my reading list.
Also, where did you read the second quote?
Thanks for reading and glad you liked the article brother. God bless!
I just realized that I mistakenly read the first sentence of your response. I've always found it easier to get into books as heavy as The Confessions if I start by reading random pages first. That finding of a few hooks always impells me to go back and start at the beginning.
Forget the Preface and Introduction with your first reading of it.
Coolest of all is realizing Confessions isn't directed to the reader, but rather the entirety is a prayer to God, in the form of a prolonged General Confession.
I'd recommend the Helms translation available by Paraclete Press.
Among my top 100 quotes from it is:
"How sweet it has been to me to be deprived of the miserable delights of a frivolous world.
And what incomparable joy I have felt after a privation once so dressed."
As for the first, will do. Looking forward to reading it.
As for the second, I believe it was Fr. Cajetan da Bergamo's "Humility of Heart". If I'm mistaken about the source, it assuredly can be verified by Googling "Septimus Severus' Last Words".
I can’t get get over the sins of my past and thinking I’m worthy. Great read- thank you.
God's mercy is infinite! Glad you liked the article, keep up the faith Jessica. God bless you
Amen !
🙏🏻🙏🏻
I really needed to read this today! Thank you! It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by a world of infinite distractions that leave one empty. I was getting stuck in a poor me rut and you helped shine a light on what matters . Have a most blessed day!
Glad to hear that Ross! Happy to be of service. God bless you brother 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Well said
Thanks brother!