Memorial of St. Anthony, abbot
Today we celebrate the memorial of St. Anthony of the Desert, a Christian monk from Egypt whose life of simplicity caused many to consider him as the Father of Monasticism. It is fitting that we open the liturgy with the refrain from Ps 92, “The just will flourish like the palm tree, and grow like a Lebanon cedar, planted in the house of the Lord…” Anthony was firmly planted in the sacred scriptures and he sought the Lord in the seclusion of his desert cell. In the first reading from 1 Samuel 15:16-23, we hear the prophet Samuel say to Saul: “Does the Lord so delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obedience to the command of the Lord?”
Unlike Saul, who was disobedient to the Lord’s command, Anthony was a model of obedience. Upon entering a church one day, he heard the Gospel verse that is sung at communion today “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you have, give to the poor, and follow me, says the Lord.” Cf. Mt 19:21. He responded by disposing of all his possessions and dedicating his entire life to God. Like new wine poured into fresh wineskins (see today’s Gospel, Mk 2:22), Anthony sought out a new way to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, the bridegroom.
Prayer for Today: O Lord, open my ears to hear your word this day and soften my heart to make it able to embrace the new message you would have me live.
Reflection by Br. Michael Marcotte, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections