Today we celebrate the feats day of Antony the Great also known as Antony Abbot. He was born around 251 in Lower Egypt to wealthy parents. When they died when he was about 18 years old, after taking care of his sister, he decided to take literally the command of Jesus to the rich young man: "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasures in heaven; and come, follow Me". Although not the first monk he was probably the first to go out into the wilderness to avoid the distractions of living in towns and villages. He died as a very old man in 356. His longevity belies the strict, ascetic life he led from a young man. St. Athanasius wrote the biography of Anthony’s life and this helped popularise him and his message.
This life of Antony is well worth reading. What comes across is complete dedication to Christ above all and the living of a life completely centred on him. Although it may be impractical for us to ‘sell all we have’, nevertheless we are called to practise detachment from this world. Are we always striving for the next ‘must have’ item? Antony shows us the futility of that as a means of achieving happiness and peace. May he pray for us and our materialistic world.
Reflections 