What happens when a brilliant young skeptic is prayed into faith by his mother? This week I finished Confessionsby St. Augustine. It wasn’t all smooth sailing, but the first nine books were a revelation.

Written around 400 A.D., Confessions traces Augustine’s path from pagan philosopher to Christian convert. His story is deeply personal, full of reflection on education, desire, ambition, and the slow turning of a heart toward God.

Highlights from the reading:

• Augustine’s mother, Monica, is a quiet force of grace and persistence. She’s a moving example of faithful motherhood.
• His critiques of education—especially content that stirs up harmful desires—feel surprisingly modern.
• He’s hard on his parents, who overlooked his vices in favor of worldly success. Food for thought for sure!
• His conversion, sparked by Bishop Ambrose and a reading of Romans 13, is profoundly moving.
• The book overflows with Scripture, especially the Psalms, and includes beautiful reflections—like comparing his misuse of gifts to the prodigal son.

The final chapters shift into dense theology and left me missing the warmth of the earlier story. Still, the first nine books are extraordinary.

Music this week: Bach’s St. Matthew Passion—challenging, but deeply beautiful.

LINK

Ted Gioia/The Honest Broker’s 12-Month Immersive Humanities Course (paywalled!)

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