+ The life of St Anthony of Egypt (215-256) reminds
us a great deal of that of St Francis of Assisi. Both saintly men were moved
by the Gospel imperative “Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor.” This Anthony did with his large inheritance.
While St Francis stayed among in the world working among the poor, St Anthony
found the snares of evil in the world too much for him and so he was moved to a
solitary life of mortification and prayer – life in the desert – but great
numbers went out to him for spiritual guidance and healing.
And so when he was 54 he set
up a series of cells nearby where his devotees could live this first “monastic”
kind of lifestyle.
He was also active in fighting
the ills that were a part of church life: especially the Arian heresy.
Anthony died in solitude at
age 105.
Our
first reading today reminds us that if we put on the armor of God
– faith in him and trust in his providential care – we can do great things for
him. And of course, the gospel is the classic one which inspired a great many
saints and not only Anthony and Francis: “Go, and sell what you have, and give
to the poor – you will then have treasure in heaven – then, come follow me.” We
are saints if we are trending towards this attitude and lifestyle this very
day. We are saints of God in the making!
St Anthony of Egypt, pray for
us!
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