There is never enough sky for the contemplative
And no mountain tall enough for the hesychast.
There is never enough sand in the desert for the ascetic
And not one ocean wide enough for the eremitic.
All things physical pale in comparison to the mystical. And yet, nature is the closest thing we have to a tabernacle for those who seek the apophatic.
My Dearest Anthony, my namesake,
This is the heart of what I have learned from pondering you, your life, your faith, your prayer, your courage to leave the city, and your constant desire to seek God.
You encountered the anchorites in the desert and sought the wisdom of their spiritual fathers. Then you sought complete solitude, so you could give all of yourself to God. Once you had counted all the grains of sand and all the stars in the sky, God called you forth to heal the sick, exorcise the demoniacs, and counsel the confused.
Today, on this special day, I ask for your intercession before the Most Holy Trinity so that I may continue to learn how to pray and to live as St. Paul the Simple did, when you accepted him as your first disciple even in his brokenness and old age.
With gratitude and devotion,
Fr. Thomas
P.S. Please show me where to find just a little more sky.
An icon of St. Anthony the Great, the founder of all Christian monasticism, who is commemorated on January 17.
Amen!