Today is Jan. 17, the memorial of St. Anthony, abbot.
At today’s Mass, we read, “Let us be on our guard while the promise of entering into his rest remains, that none of you seem to have failed” (Heb 4:1).
Today’s saint, St. Anthony, has many names, probably in part to distinguish him from the especially beloved Franciscan, St. Anthony of Padua. The Franciscan St. Anthony is the lost things guy…today’s St. Anthony, aka St. Anthony of the Desert, Anthony of Egypt or Anthony the Hermit, has a simple lesson to teach us about spiritual warfare.
In an address to desert monks (St. Anthony is considered the father of Christian monasticism), St. Anthony addresses the nature of temptation, especially as incited by attacks from the enemy. He notes that the fiercest temptations arise when Christians are advancing in virtue and joyfully serving the Lord.
According to St. Anthony, a spiritual attack typically comes first through subtle temptations — evil thoughts and enticements that attempt to lead the heart away from God. When this fails, demons will shift tactics, seeking to incite fear through deceptive displays. They may appear in terrifying forms or feign grandeur and prophecy to confuse and intimidate.
While these assaults may seem overwhelming, St. Anthony emphasizes an essential truth: the demons’ power is limited. They are like shadows: frightening in appearance but powerless against a soul fortified by faith. Their attempts to deceive are desperate and ultimately doomed when met with steadfast trust in God.
Whether we need to resist a full-on assault of the enemy or simply to persevere through a smaller temptation, St. Anthony identifies three essential practices for the spiritual life:
Three steps in spiritual warfare
First, regular and heartfelt prayer keeps us anchored in God’s presence. It strengthens our resolve and opens our hearts to the grace we need to persevere.
Second, denying ourselves material comforts disciplines our will and sharpens our focus on spiritual realities. Fasting weakens the influence of the flesh and fortifies the soul.
Third, a firm trust in God’s goodness and power reminds us that no matter how fierce the battle, Christ has already conquered the enemy. Faith dispels fear and fills us with hope.
Finally, St. Anthony highlights the power of the sign of the Cross. This simple but profound gesture invokes Christ’s victory over sin and death, dispelling the illusions of the enemy and fortifying our spirits.
St. Anthony assures us that fear is the demons’ most potent weapon, but it holds no real power over a soul rooted in God. When we encounter fearsome displays or deceptive tactics, he encourages us to stand firm, invoking faith and the Cross. Even when their attacks persist, St. Anthony reminds us that these trials serve to strengthen us. Each victory over temptation refines our souls, making us more resilient in the face of future challenges.
Let us pray,
O God, who brought the Abbot Saint Anthony to serve you by a wondrous way of life in the desert, grant, through his intercession, that, denying ourselves, we may always love you above all things. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.