Confessions - Book Vii - Chapter X
St. Augustine reflects on the soul's inward journey toward the Immutable Light, revealing the transformative power of divine Truth and eternal Love.
In this devotional sermon, St. Augustine invites listeners to journey inwardly to encounter the Immutable Light, a divine presence beyond all earthly understanding. He reflects on the soul’s transformation through divine truth and love, emphasizing the certainty of God's eternal reality. Augustine’s profound meditation encourages spiritual growth and the embrace of God's chastening love as a path to becoming more like Him.
Text
16. And being admonished by these books to return into myself, I entered into my inward soul, guided by thee. This I could do because thou wast my helper. And I entered, and with the eye of my soul--such as it was--saw above the same eye of my soul and above my mind the Immutable Light. It was not the common light, which all flesh can see; nor was it simply a greater one of the same sort, as if the light of day were to grow brighter and brighter, and flood all space. It was not like that light, but different, yea, very different from all earthly light whatever. Nor was it above my mind in the same way as oil is above water, or heaven above earth, but it was higher, because it made me, and I was below it, because I was made by it. He who knows the Truth knows that Light, and he who knows it knows eternity. Love knows it, O Eternal Truth and True Love and Beloved Eternity! Thou art my God, to whom I sigh both night and day. When I first knew thee, thou didst lift me up, that I might see that there was something to be seen, though I was not yet fit to see it. And thou didst beat back the weakness of my sight, shining forth upon me thy dazzling beams of light, and I trembled with love and fear. I realized that I was far away from thee in the land of unlikeness, as if I heard thy voice from on high: \"I am the food of strong men; grow and you shall feed on me; nor shall you change me, like the food of your flesh into yourself, but you shall be changed into my likeness.\" And I understood that thou chastenest man for his iniquity, and makest my soul to be eaten away as though by a spider.[204] And I said, \"Is Truth, therefore, nothing, because it is not diffused through space--neither finite nor infinite?\" And thou didst cry to me from afar, \"I am that I am.\"[205] And I heard this, as things are heard in the heart, and there was no room for doubt. I should have more readily doubted that I am alive than that the Truth exists--the Truth which is \"clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made.\"[206]
Sermon Outline
-
I
- Admonition to return inwardly
- Guidance by divine helper
- Entering the soul's eye
-
II
- Encounter with the Immutable Light
- Distinction from earthly light
- Recognition of divine transcendence
-
III
- The soul's unlikeness and distance from God
- Call to spiritual growth and transformation
- Understanding chastening and divine discipline
-
IV
- Affirmation of Truth's existence
- Hearing God's voice within
- Certainty of divine reality beyond doubt
Key Quotes
“I entered, and with the eye of my soul--such as it was--saw above the same eye of my soul and above my mind the Immutable Light.” — St. Augustine
“I am the food of strong men; grow and you shall feed on me; nor shall you change me, like the food of your flesh into yourself, but you shall be changed into my likeness.” — St. Augustine
“I heard this, as things are heard in the heart, and there was no room for doubt.” — St. Augustine
Application Points
- Seek inward reflection guided by God to perceive spiritual truths beyond the physical world.
- Embrace divine discipline as a means of spiritual growth and purification.
- Allow yourself to be transformed into the likeness of God through love and faith.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 'Immutable Light' Augustine describes?
The Immutable Light is the eternal, unchanging divine presence that transcends all earthly light and represents God's truth and love.
How does Augustine describe the soul's relationship to God?
He portrays the soul as created by and beneath God’s light, called to grow and be transformed into His likeness through love and truth.
What does Augustine mean by 'I am that I am'?
This phrase, referencing Exodus 3:14, signifies God's self-existence and eternal truth, heard inwardly by the soul as undeniable reality.
Why does Augustine say the soul is 'eaten away as though by a spider'?
He uses this metaphor to express how divine chastening refines and purifies the soul by removing sin and imperfection.
What is the significance of 'food of strong men' in the sermon?
It symbolizes the spiritual nourishment God provides for those who grow in faith, transforming them rather than being consumed like physical food.