Confessions - Book VI - Chapter Xiii
St. Augustine reflects on the interplay of human desires, divine guidance, and the preparation for spiritual transformation through baptism and marriage.
In this reflective sermon, St. Augustine shares personal insights from his journey toward faith, focusing on the intersection of human desires, family hopes, and divine guidance. He recounts the efforts surrounding his marriage and the spiritual preparation for baptism, highlighting the challenges of discerning true revelation. Augustine’s narrative offers a profound look at the patience and faith required in the Christian walk.
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23. Active efforts were made to get me a wife. I wooed; I was engaged; and my mother took the greatest pains in the matter. For her hope was that, when I was once married, I might be washed clean in health-giving baptism for which I was being daily prepared, as she joyfully saw, taking note that her desires and promises were being fulfilled in my faith. Yet, when, at my request and her own impulse, she called upon thee daily with strong, heartfelt cries, that thou wouldst, by a vision, disclose unto her a leading about my future marriage, thou wouldst not. She did, indeed, see certain vain and fantastic things, such as are conjured up by the strong preoccupation of the human spirit, and these she supposed had some reference to me. And she told me about them, but not with the confidence she usually had when thou hadst shown her anything. For she always said that she could distinguish, by a certain feeling impossible to describe, between thy revelations and the dreams of her own soul. Yet the matter was pressed forward, and proposals were made for a girl who was as yet some two years too young to marry.[171] And because she pleased me, I agreed to wait for her.
Sermon Outline
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I. The Pursuit of Marriage
- Efforts by family to arrange marriage
- Personal engagement and waiting for the right time
- The role of hope in spiritual preparation
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II. The Role of Divine Revelation
- Seeking visions and divine guidance
- Distinguishing true revelations from human dreams
- The absence of clear divine direction in marriage decisions
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III. Preparation for Baptism
- Spiritual readiness through faith
- The significance of baptism as cleansing
- Mother’s prayers and hopes for spiritual transformation
Key Quotes
“For her hope was that, when I was once married, I might be washed clean in health-giving baptism for which I was being daily prepared.” — St. Augustine
“She always said that she could distinguish, by a certain feeling impossible to describe, between thy revelations and the dreams of her own soul.” — St. Augustine
“Active efforts were made to get me a wife. I wooed; I was engaged; and my mother took the greatest pains in the matter.” — St. Augustine
Application Points
- Trust in God’s timing even when clear guidance is not immediately apparent.
- Prepare your heart and faith daily for spiritual transformation.
- Recognize the importance of family support and prayer in your spiritual journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Augustine’s mother so invested in his marriage?
She believed that marriage would help prepare Augustine for baptism and spiritual cleansing.
Did Augustine receive clear divine guidance about his marriage?
No, Augustine’s mother did not receive clear visions, only uncertain dreams, indicating the absence of explicit divine direction.
What role did faith play in Augustine’s preparation for baptism?
Faith was central as it was the foundation upon which Augustine was daily prepared for the cleansing power of baptism.
Was the marriage proposal immediately accepted?
No, Augustine agreed to wait because the proposed bride was too young at the time.