A.J. Castellitto
The confession and mortification of sin
By A.J. Castellitto
"Thou wast always by me, mercifully angry and flavoring all my unlawful pleasures with bitter discontent, in order that I might seek pleasures free from discontent. But where could I find such pleasure save in thee, O Lord – save in thee, who dost teach us by sorrow, who woundest us to heal us, and dost kill us that we may not die apart from thee. Where was I, and how far was I exiled from the delights of thy house...when the madness of lust held full sway in me – that madness which grants indulgence to human shamelessness, even though it is forbidden by thy laws – and I gave myself entirely to it..." ~ Confessions of Saint Augustine
The battle against sin is a perpetual life and death struggle till the end. We fight the good fight against ungodly desires, propensities and tendencies. We do this not because we are trying to earn something and/or obtain special recognition. We do so because we have new desires.
We hunger and thirst for righteousness. It pains us to see so many deceived and such a widespread rejection of the one true God.
When overcome by our state of redemption, our old nature swiftly assumes the role of bitter foe. We are our own most formidable adversary. No common ground between our old and new natures could nor should be sought.
Darkness and light could never be reconciled. Remove the light and the life that remains is perverted. To this reality Augustine boldly speaks...
"Where there is evil, there is a corresponding diminution of the good. As long...as a thing is being corrupted, there is good in it of which it is being deprived... corruption is nothing more than the deprivation of the good"
Throughout the world, men, women and children of every race, color and creed are turning unto the one true God of Creation - the Maker of heaven and earth. Unfortunately, our sin will not go down quietly. By the grace of God, we will persevere.
"So, then, by a humble piety we return to Thee; and thou purgest us from our evil customs, and art merciful unto the sins of those who confess unto Thee, and dost "hear the groaning of the prisoner," and dost loosen us from those fetters which we have forged for ourselves, if we lift not up against Thee the horns of a false liberty, – losing all through craving more, by loving more our own private good than Thee, the good of all." ~ Augustine's Confessions
© A.J. Castellitto
"Thou wast always by me, mercifully angry and flavoring all my unlawful pleasures with bitter discontent, in order that I might seek pleasures free from discontent. But where could I find such pleasure save in thee, O Lord – save in thee, who dost teach us by sorrow, who woundest us to heal us, and dost kill us that we may not die apart from thee. Where was I, and how far was I exiled from the delights of thy house...when the madness of lust held full sway in me – that madness which grants indulgence to human shamelessness, even though it is forbidden by thy laws – and I gave myself entirely to it..." ~ Confessions of Saint Augustine
The battle against sin is a perpetual life and death struggle till the end. We fight the good fight against ungodly desires, propensities and tendencies. We do this not because we are trying to earn something and/or obtain special recognition. We do so because we have new desires.
We hunger and thirst for righteousness. It pains us to see so many deceived and such a widespread rejection of the one true God.
When overcome by our state of redemption, our old nature swiftly assumes the role of bitter foe. We are our own most formidable adversary. No common ground between our old and new natures could nor should be sought.
Darkness and light could never be reconciled. Remove the light and the life that remains is perverted. To this reality Augustine boldly speaks...
"Where there is evil, there is a corresponding diminution of the good. As long...as a thing is being corrupted, there is good in it of which it is being deprived... corruption is nothing more than the deprivation of the good"
Throughout the world, men, women and children of every race, color and creed are turning unto the one true God of Creation - the Maker of heaven and earth. Unfortunately, our sin will not go down quietly. By the grace of God, we will persevere.
"So, then, by a humble piety we return to Thee; and thou purgest us from our evil customs, and art merciful unto the sins of those who confess unto Thee, and dost "hear the groaning of the prisoner," and dost loosen us from those fetters which we have forged for ourselves, if we lift not up against Thee the horns of a false liberty, – losing all through craving more, by loving more our own private good than Thee, the good of all." ~ Augustine's Confessions
© A.J. Castellitto
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