Confessions - Book X - Chapter Vii
St. Augustine explores the nature of the soul's ascent to God, emphasizing that true knowledge and love of God transcend bodily senses and vital powers.
In this devotional sermon from Confessions Book X Chapter VII, St. Augustine reflects on the soul's journey to God, emphasizing that true knowledge and love of God transcend the body's vital and sensory powers. He invites listeners to consider the unique capacity of the soul to ascend spiritually beyond natural faculties. Augustine's profound insights challenge believers to seek God beyond mere physical perception and to embrace a deeper spiritual experience.
Text
11. What is it, then, that I love when I love my God? Who is he that is beyond the topmost point of my soul? Yet by this very soul will I mount up to him. I will soar beyond that power of mine by which I am united to the body, and by which the whole structure of it is filled with life. Yet it is not by that vital power that I find my God. For then \"the horse and the mule, that have no understanding,\"[336] also might find him, since they have the same vital power, by which their bodies also live. But there is, besides the power by which I animate my body, another by which I endow my flesh with sense--a power that the Lord hath provided for me; commanding that the eye is not to hear and the ear is not to see, but that I am to see by the eye and to hear by the ear; and giving to each of the other senses its own proper place and function, through the diversity of which I, the single mind, act. I will soar also beyond this power of mine, for the horse and mule have this too, for they also perceive through their bodily senses.
Sermon Outline
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I. The Limits of Bodily Powers
- Vital power animates the body but is insufficient for knowing God
- Animals share vital powers but do not know God
- Bodily senses have distinct functions but cannot perceive God fully
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II. The Soul's Unique Capacity
- The soul transcends bodily and sensory powers
- The mind acts through diverse senses but is distinct
- True knowledge of God is an act of the soul
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III. The Ascent to God
- The soul must soar beyond bodily and sensory limitations
- God is beyond the highest point of the soul
- Spiritual ascent requires transcending natural faculties
Key Quotes
“What is it, then, that I love when I love my God? Who is he that is beyond the topmost point of my soul?” — St. Augustine
“The eye is not to hear and the ear is not to see, but that I am to see by the eye and to hear by the ear.” — St. Augustine
“I will soar also beyond this power of mine, for the horse and mule have this too, for they also perceive through their bodily senses.” — St. Augustine
Application Points
- Seek to know God beyond physical senses and intellectual understanding.
- Recognize the unique spiritual capacity of your soul to connect with God.
- Practice transcending natural faculties through prayer and meditation to experience God's presence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does St. Augustine mean by 'soaring beyond the power of mine'?
He means that the soul must transcend bodily and sensory faculties to truly know and love God.
Why does Augustine mention horses and mules?
To illustrate that vital powers and senses alone do not grant knowledge of God, as animals share these but do not know Him.
What role do the senses play in knowing God according to Augustine?
Senses have proper functions but are limited; true knowledge of God is beyond sensory perception.
Is this sermon more about intellectual knowledge or spiritual experience?
It emphasizes spiritual experience and the soul's ascent beyond intellectual and sensory faculties.