St. Augustine: The Truth You Know—but Don’t Want to Accept

About this sermon

Why do people sometimes recognize the truth—and still refuse to change? On the feast of St. Augustine of Hippo, this sermon examines the remarkable conversion of one of the most influential Fathers and Doctors of the Church. Augustine was brilliant from childhood and relentlessly searched for truth, yet pride, false philosophy, sensuality, and attachment to his former way of life repeatedly stood between him and the Catholic faith. His encounter with Platonic philosophy helped prepare his intellect, while St. Ambrose helped him recognize the truth of Christianity. But Augustine still struggled to surrender. His famous prayer—“Lord, give me chastity, but not yet”—reveals remarkable honesty. Rather than invent reasons to reject the truth, Augustine eventually admitted that the real obstacle was his own weakness and attachment to pleasure. Then came the famous “Tolle lege”—“Take and read.” Augustine opened Romans 13, encountered the command to put on Christ and make no provision for the flesh, and began the final movement toward baptism. Augustine would become Bishop of Hippo and leave an enormous theological legacy through works such as the Confessions, City of God, and On Christian Doctrine. His life leaves us with a searching question: Is there something we already know is true—but refuse to accept because accepting it would require us to change? St. Augustine, pray that we may seek truth, admit our weakness, and cooperate with God’s grace. 0:00 Opening 0:36 St. Augustine — theologian, philosopher & bishop 0:53 Pagan father and Catholic mother 1:09 Augustine’s troubled moral formation 1:35 Rhetoric, brilliance & search for truth 1:52 Augustine and Manichaeism 2:09 Why Augustine initially rejected Scripture 2:34 Intellectual pride becomes an obstacle 2:49 Augustine’s long relationship and sensual life 3:31 Plato prepares Augustine for Christianity 4:12 Natural law and modern philosophical errors 4:57 Hidden ideas that undermine Catholic faith 5:34 Building the right intellectual foundation 5:50 Augustine meets St. Ambrose 6:13 Augustine cannot let go of sensual pleasure 6:22 “Lord, give me chastity—but not yet” 6:39 Augustine’s remarkable honesty 7:09 Why people invent excuses against the faith 7:43 Admit the real reason you resist conversion 8:00 God can work with honest weakness 8:23 Give up little pleasures to receive something greater 8:49 Augustine’s final two-year struggle 9:03 The Desert Fathers inspire Augustine 9:26 “Tolle lege” — Take and read 9:34 Romans 13 changes everything 10:00 Augustine prepares for baptism 10:08 Baptized at Easter in 387 10:15 Priest and Bishop of Hippo 10:33 Augustine’s Confessions 10:48 The City of God 11:21 On Christian Doctrine 11:37 The enormous volume of Augustine’s writings 12:13 Augustine’s theological influence 12:21 Original sin, free will & grace 12:47 God, truth, evil & creation 13:20 Famous teachings of St. Augustine 13:42 Prayer, work & responsibility 13:51 Humility as the foundation of sanctity 14:16 Truth does not fear opposition 14:48 Hope for sinners 14:55 “Our hearts are restless…” 15:02 “Late have I loved You” 15:18 Augustine finally discovers what he was seeking 15:44 Every restless desire ultimately points toward God 16:09 True peace is found in Christ 16:27 Augustine’s death in 430 16:43 The Vandal siege and Augustine’s legacy 17:23 Prayer for those searching for truth 17:37 Is there a truth we refuse because it requires change? 18:01 Prayer through St. Augustine’s intercession 18:11 Closing blessing #StAugustine #FeastDay #CatholicFaith #ChurchFathers #Confessions #CityOfGod #CatholicSaints #CatholicChurch #Christianity Please say 3 Hail Marys for the priest. 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴

Topics

• Bible Study