Memorial of Saint Anthony of the Desert, abbot
(I Samuel 15:16-23;
Mark 2:18-22)
Jesus
reminds the people of the freshness of God’s Kingdom. They are not to think of it with old
categories like fasting but with new ones like rejoicing. Just because John had his disciples submitting
to rigorous discipline does not mean that Jesus’ disciples to do so. At least, this is true of the present
moment. He does say as well, however,
that fasting for his disciples is not completely out of the picture.
Fasting and
penance were certainly part of St. Anthony’s life. He lived for a hundred years in the third and
fourth centuries. After the initial
years of the fourth century, martyrdom ceased to be a major challenge. Anthony and others showed their love for
Christ by lives of prayer and subsistence living in the desert. In doing so, they indicated to all Christians
the need to make sacrifices for Christ.
People make
think it idiotic, but we should embrace poverty, chastity, and obedience like
St. Anthony. Poverty for laypeople will mean
living simply without consumerist spending.
Chastity will mean faithfulness to our state of life – single, married,
or religious. Obedience will entail shaping
our lives according to God’s word. This
is not a formula for misery – far from it.
It is a path to eternal happiness marked by daily joy.
