Confessions - Book VI - Chapter Vii
St. Augustine reflects on the struggles of friendship, virtue, and the temptations of worldly distractions through his relationship with Alypius.
In this reflective sermon, St. Augustine shares personal insights about his friendship with Alypius, exploring themes of virtue, temptation, and spiritual growth. Augustine candidly discusses the challenges of guiding a friend caught in the allure of worldly distractions, emphasizing the power of sincere friendship and the hope for redemption. This biographical account offers timeless lessons on the importance of vigilance and support in the Christian life.
Text
11. Those of us who were living like friends together used to bemoan our lot in our common talk; but I discussed it with Alypius and Nebridius more especially and in very familiar terms. Alypius had been born in the same town as I; his parents were of the highest rank there, but he was a bit younger than I. He had studied under me when I first taught in our town, and then afterward at Carthage. He esteemed me highly because I appeared to him good and learned, and I esteemed him for his inborn love of virtue, which was uncommonly marked in a man so young. But in the whirlpool of Carthaginian fashion--where frivolous spectacles are hotly followed--he had been inveigled into the madness of the gladiatorial games. While he was miserably tossed about in this fad, I was teaching rhetoric there in a public school. At that time he was not attending my classes because of some ill feeling that had arisen between me and his father. I then came to discover how fatally he doted upon the circus, and I was deeply grieved, for he seemed likely to cast away his very great promise--if, indeed, he had not already done so. Yet I had no means of advising him, or any way of reclaiming him through restraint, either by the kindness of a friend or by the authority of a teacher. For I imagined that his feelings toward me were the same as his father\\
Sermon Outline
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I. The Bonds of Friendship
- Shared struggles and mutual support
- The importance of sincere conversation
- Friendship as a means of spiritual encouragement
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II. The Danger of Worldly Temptations
- Alypius' attraction to gladiatorial games
- The influence of cultural distractions
- The risk of losing virtue through indulgence
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III. The Challenge of Spiritual Guidance
- Difficulties in advising a friend
- Balancing authority and kindness
- Hope for redemption despite setbacks
Key Quotes
“He esteemed me highly because I appeared to him good and learned, and I esteemed him for his inborn love of virtue.” — St. Augustine
“While he was miserably tossed about in this fad, I was teaching rhetoric there in a public school.” — St. Augustine
“I was deeply grieved, for he seemed likely to cast away his very great promise.” — St. Augustine
Application Points
- Cultivate friendships that encourage spiritual growth and mutual accountability.
- Be vigilant against cultural distractions that can lead away from virtue.
- Approach friends struggling with compassion and patience, balancing kindness with honest guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Alypius in St. Augustine's life?
Alypius was a close friend of Augustine, known for his love of virtue but also his struggle with worldly temptations like gladiatorial games.
What does this sermon reveal about friendship?
It highlights friendship as a vital support system that can both challenge and encourage spiritual growth.
Why was Augustine concerned about Alypius?
Because Alypius was drawn into the dangerous allure of the circus and gladiatorial games, risking his moral integrity.
How does Augustine approach advising his friend?
He struggles with finding the right balance between authority and kindness, recognizing the difficulty of reclaiming a friend from harmful habits.
What spiritual lesson is emphasized?
The sermon emphasizes vigilance against worldly distractions and the importance of nurturing virtue through supportive relationships.