Memorial of Saint Anthony, Abbot
(I Samuel 17:32-33.37.40-51; Mark 3:1-6)
Aristotle taught that a soldier best exemplifies the virtue
of courage. He saw the warrior’s
overcoming the fear of death to fight for the homeland as the essence of
bravery. In today’s readings his ideal
would be realized in David who takes up the challenge of Goliath to defend the
honor of Israel. Thomas Aquinas gave the
model of courage a different flavor.
Since he understood union with God as the ultimate goal in life,
martyrdom became the highest way to practice courage. In today’s gospel Jesus demonstrates such
courage as he heals the invalid on the Sabbath despite the vicious contempt the
cure will draw from the Pharisees.
Anthony of the Desert, today’s patron saint, exemplifies
another kind of courage. He gave up
everything he had to live most of his life in solitude. This meant overcoming the fear, not of death
but of living an unfulfilled life. He
forsook the commonly satisfying experiences of family, home, and daily company to
deepen his relationship with the Lord.
In doing so, Anthony provided Christianity a model of holiness.
We don’t have to go off to the desert to be holy. But we must give time and effort to stay close to the
Lord. Holiness entails seeking his help so that we might do his will. It is impossible for the
weak-hearted. We must have courage as
well to be holy.
