On Augustine Day, Buy Sam Rocha’s Album

Today is the feast of Blessed Augustine, as our Eastern brethren call him. Whatever you know about Augustine’s theology (and what most know is that it makes up thousands upon thousands of dense pages), it’s impossible not to be inspired by Augustine’s life. His long spiritual and moral wandering, his conversion, his life as a great bishop (and, for my part, the sheer quantity of his output as a writer).

There’s a reason why quotes like “Lord, give me chastity, but not yet” and “Our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee” and “Love the sinner, hate the sin” and “Love and do what you will” have had such resonance across the centuries.

Augustine is one of the great examples of that so-great Christian archetype, the Prodigal who finds faith with a passion after a life of wanderlust.

All of which brings me to the excellent album by my excellent friend and Fellow Patheosi Sam Rocha. Late to Love is the first album of Augustinian soul music, inspired by Augustine’s life and works. The lyrics are beautiful. The music is most excellent. The singer and songwriter is very, very talented. (And will you look at that cover art!) You should buy it, is what I’m saying.