Today we celebrate the feast day of St. Anthony, the abbot and monk. Saint Athanasius, who knew Anthony and wrote his biography, said, "Anthony was not known for his writings nor for his worldly wisdom, nor for any art, but simply for his reverence toward God." He has this desire to love God above all things and to deny himself in order to know more about God. His countenance has a great beauty in it that attracted many people to him. His appearance reflects the purity and joy of his soul. Even if he has given up many things he has a radiance in his face that reflects his very soul that gives him a cheerful countenance that never changed. He projects the truth that he has something great within him, a life with God. There is a difference between Catholic monasticism and other forms like Buddhism. Buddhism practices meditations to eliminate all desire which is thought to be the source of all evil. This approach is an impersonal awareness of reality. There is a technique, right breathing and posture that need to be attained. There is this tendency to embrace transcendental meditation wrongfully. With Catholic monasticism, there is no technique, no right breathing or posture to attain. What is essential is to understand the gospel, hear and take it as directed personally to every person. Act on it by living the gospel and following Christ. It is thoroughly a love matter, union with God, transformative and life changing with a life of prayer. Amen. Hallelujah!
Hebrews 5:1-10
“You are my son; this day I have begotten you”; 6 just as he says in another place: “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” 7 In the days when he was in the flesh, he offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. 8 Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered; 9 and when he was made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, 10 declared by God high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.
The monks like St. Anthony have come to a point where they realized that what they give up is really nothing compared to what God has in store for all of us. Their lives like the saints before us have become sign posts pointing to heaven. It helps us increase our zeal today as if we are beginning anew. All this life is nothing compared to eternal life so we must not be faint hearted. Nor think that we are doing anything great for the sufferings we encounter at present. It is nothing compared to the glory that is to come. The whole of earth is nothing compared to the kingdom of heaven. Just like this fascinating story of a girl with her plastic pearls. One night her father asked her if she loves him so the girl replied ,"yes". The father asked for the pearls but the girl refused and offered her doll instead but the father said no and told her he loves her anyway. The following week the father did the same thing and the girl offered her horsy. Then another week later when the father asked the same question she tearfully handed him the plastic pearls and told her dad that he can have it. To her surprise the father handed her a beautiful box with the pearls of great value. Sometimes we keep holding on to something without realizing that God is offering us something great. May we be firm and focused in leading a life of holiness that no earthly attractions keep us from loving God. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 110:1, 2, 3, 4
R: You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.
...The scepter of your power the LORD will stretch forth from Zion: “Rule in the midst of your enemies.” (R) 3 Yours is princely power in the day of your birth, in holy splendor; before the daystar, like the dew, I have begotten you.”
In today's gospel, Jesus reveals His Divinity by referring to Himself as the Bridegroom. We can find in the scriptures especially during the time of Israel how God our Creator addressed Himself as Husband. As in Jer 3:20, "But like a woman faithless to her lover, even so have you been faithless to me, O house of Israel," says the LORD. And in Hosea 2:18, On that day, says the LORD, She shall call me "My husband," and never again "My baal." ... and 21-22 "I will espouse you to me forever: I will espouse you in right and in justice, in love and in mercy; I will espouse you in fidelity, and you shall know the LORD." Also in the Parable of the wise & foolish virgins who were getting ready to meet the bridegroom and the parable of the invitation to the wedding feast. St Paul’s words also in Ephesians 5:25 "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the church and handed himself over for her..." Today's gospel is also an allusion to the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. We as Catholics practice fasting 1 hour before communion. Fasting symbolizes mourning which is not appropriate when the bridegroom is there. During Holy Mass, He arrives in the Liturgy of the Word and the Eucharist. The sacrament when the Divine Bridegroom gives Himself to us. A marriage supper where we encounter the bridegroom, Jesus therefore we should have a love for the Mass. It is a foretaste of Heaven when we become enraptured by the love of God and be totally in union with Him. Amen. Hallelujah!
Mark 2:18-22
...“Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast. 20 But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day.
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