St. Anthony of the Desert
FEAST DAY
How to Avoid the Snares of the Enemy
Today is the feast of St. Anthony of the Desert. Often considered to be the "Father of Monasticism," he was one of the first to go off into the desert to pray and gather communities of monks together. St. Athanasius wrote a famous biography about his life.
While deep in prayer, St. Anthony had a horrifying vision. He saw the many different traps that the devil and his demons had set out for people to fall into. Overwhelmed by this he groaned:
"What can get through from such snares?"
Then he heard a voice respond:
"Humility."
ANCIENT WISDOM
3 Quotes from the Desert Fathers
I. St. Epiphanius of Salamis on the importance of spiritual reading:
"The acquisition of Christian books is necessary for those who can use them. For the mere sight of these books renders us less inclined to sin, and incites us to believe more firmly in righteousness."
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II. St. Anthony the Great on making a plan for growing spiritually:
"Whoever hammers a lump of iron, first decides what he is going to make of it, a scythe, a sword, or an axe. Even so we ought to make up our minds what kind of virtue we want to forge or we labor in vain."
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III. St. Poemen on reacting to an offense from another:
?"Passions work in four stages – first in the heart; secondly, in the face; thirdly in words; fourthly, it is essential not to render evil for evil in deeds. If you can purify your heart, passion will not come into your expression; but if it comes into your face, take care not to speak; but if you do speak, cut the conversation short in case you render evil for evil."
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Learn More About the Desert Fathers
Free Text -? The Life of St. Anthony by St. Athanasius
This classic work documents the life of St. Anthony the Great. His example set the foundation for all other monastic communities.
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Free Text - The Conferences of John Cassian
John Cassian, a monk, wrote a famous summary of the teachings of the Desert Fathers. This especially includes how to fight sin and temptation.
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Book - The Sayings of the Desert Fathers This comprehensive collection gives practical advice to the laity for growing closer to Christ.
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Do not give your heart to that which does not satisfy your heart.
- St. Poemen
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10 个月Every deadly sin has its opposite virtue. Pride being the deadliest sin is overcome by Humility, one of the greatest, if not the greatest, virtue.