I am reading through The Confessions of Saint Augustine again with the college student leaders. In Book 6, Augustine is describing the events that led up to his conversion. I was really moved by his description of seeing a beggar joyfully eating a meal:
"For what he had obtained through a few coins, got by his begging, I was still scheming for by many a wretched and tortuous turning--namely, the joy of a passing felicity. He had not, indeed, gained true joy, but, at the same time, with all my ambitions, I was seeking one still more untrue. Anyhow, he was now joyous and I was anxious. He was free from care, and I was full of alarms. Now, if anyone should inquire of me whether I should prefer to be merry or anxious, I would reply, “Merry.” Again, if I had been asked whether I should prefer to be as he was or as I myself then was, I would have chosen to be myself; though I was beset with cares and alarms. But would not this have been a false choice? Was the contrast valid? Actually, I ought not to prefer myself to him because I happened to be more learned than he was; for I got no great pleasure from my learning, but sought, rather, to please men by its exhibition--and this not to instruct, but only to please. Thus thou didst break my bones with the rod of thy correction."-Confessions, 6.6
5/10/2011 02:53:00 PM
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W Ewangeliach napisano, że Król Żydów Jezus zwany Chrystusem nauczał by jego uczniowie przestali sprzeciwiać się złu a także stwierdził, że osoby kochające go będą przestrzegały jego przykazań oraz obiecał przestrzegającym wszystkich jego nauk, że napewno będą żyli a więc ominie ich śmierć a jeśliby to syn człowieczy wzbudzi ich z martwych.