Saint Anthony 17th January «»
"And then someone came up to Jesus asking him ’Master, what must I do to have eternal life?’ Jesus answered ’Why are you asking me about what is good? Only God Alone is good! If you wish to enter into life, observe the commandments." On this feast day of Saint Anthony, we ask God for the grace to adopt the right attitude as we go through the spiritual combat in our lives. To he who desires to have life Jesus says : ’Observe the commandments.’ In spiritual combat, in his agony with Jesus, we combat with all the Saints who lived out the commandments so as t follow Jesus. These are our models, through whom Jesus’ grace shines forth for us. Therese of Lisieux said that in heaven with Jesus she will continue the ’work’ of sanctification brought about by Jesus on earth. Saint Anthony gives us a marvellous echo of this way of Love. This man asks Jesus questions about what is good. “He said to him ’Which ones?’ Jesus answered ’You must not kill. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not bear false witness. Honour your father and your mother. You will love your neighbour as yourself.” We embark upon a path of peace when we enter into a path of blessings-this is God’s choice. Jesus wants us to move forward, he says : ’You must not commit murder’/ A way of love opens up before us, with great respect for other people. We know that someone telling bad things about someone is as harmful as being hurt by a sword. ’You shall not kill your brother’ goes as far as the hurtful words we may have. We’re not to play at being an ’adult ’who knows everything, passing one’s elf off so easily for God! Being domineering towards others reduces him to what I think of him, damaging my heart in a serious way. Without realising it we can project our violence onto other people! Jesus tells us : ’You shall not commit murder.’ "The young man told him ’I have observed all this since my youth.What do I still need to do?’ Jesus answered : ’If you wish to be perfect, go, sell all you own and give them to the poor. Then you shall have riches in heaven. Then come, and follow me." Jesus announces a new stage in our spiritual life : ’if you want to be perfect.’ To be perfect mans to enter into communion with the poor who are dependant upon God. This love of benevolence, allows us, a priori, to hold steadfast when assailed by the enemy, the evil one’s manœuvres. In this Word we find Saint Anthony’s marvellous way of Love. We find an echo in it if we place ourselves before God and give ourselves to Him, finding Peace. The difficulty we have in this ’battlefield’ is that we don’t realise that our enemy is the devil, the liar! When we are engaged in the great combat of the world, it is God who combats in us with His Peace. Jesus tells us : Love your enemies. Such great Wisdom. We ask God for the grace to be continually adjusted to the Light of the Holy Spirit.