The classic work The Sayings of the Desert Fathers preserves many stories and quotes from the life of Saint Anthony as well as other great Catholic saints. Saint Anthony taught that self-knowledge is our first step to spiritual progress. Understanding our weaknesses cultivates humility and acceptance of our need for divine assistance. Saint Anthony teaches us, “This is the great work of a man: always take the blame for his own sins before God and to expect temptation to his last breath.” When asked for spiritual direction, he counseled, “Do not trust in your own righteousness, do not worry about the past, but control your tongue and your stomach.”

While it might be terrifying to consider the intense spiritual combats Saint Anthony encountered as he prayed in the desert, our own efforts in recovery involve similar spiritual conflicts. We must cut off pleasures that have become harmful to us and learn to accept the discomfort of repressed urges as we break bad habits. When it seems that forces are holding us back from attending a meeting but push against them to attend anyway, we are engaging in spiritual warfare. When we reach out for help at the first sign of relapse or when we push ourselves to establish daily prayer while the rest of the world calls us to “more important” things, we are engaging in spiritual warfare that can save souls and lead us to victory. Therefore, we must always remain watchful against temptations and strive for God’s assistance, one day at a time. Heaven is the reward for our striving, and the time to work out our salvation is now.

Saint Anthony the Abbot, pray for us on our journey of recovery!

Reflection Questions

• Have you spent time learning more about the lives of the Catholic saints? Is there a specific saint you feel called to learn more about?
• What are some instances when you have engaged in spiritual combat? How did they go?

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: Hebrews 4:1-5, 11
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 78:3 & 4bc, 6c-7, 8
Gospel: Mark 2:1-12

Reflection by Bill B.