Practicing contemplative prayer in our busy lives today can be hard. But perhaps an ancient desert monk can still be our coach in the 21st century! (Part 3)
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(This sermon was given by Fr. Dustin to the Grace Institute at the Shalom Spirituality Center on Sunday, August 7th, 2016. The theme for the retreat was Contemplative Prayer.)
Start with part 1 here.
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Our final insight is the lesson that St. Anthony gave to his own disciples.
After he overcame the devil’s temptations, St. Anthony became a walking saint. There were many people who came to him asking for his advice.
Fortunately for us, his words are written down. Again, I think it’s worth quoting at length.
“Therefore my children, let us hold to the discipline, and not be careless. For we have the Lord for our coworker in this… And in order that we not become negligent, it is good to carefully consider the Apostle’s statement: I die daily. For if we live as people dying daily, we will not commit sin. …As we rise daily, let us suppose that we shall not survive till evening, and again, as we prepare for sleep, let us consider that we shall not awaken. By its very nature our live is uncertain… If we think this way, and in this way live – daily – we will not sin, nor will we crave anything, nor bear a grudge against anyone, nor will we lay up treasurers on earth…”
In short, we need to live for Christ constantly, with every step, every breath. This is hard to do, though. Sometimes we fail. But our coach, St. Anthony urges us forward.
“Be watchful and do not destroy your lengthy discipline, but as if you were making a beginning now, strive to preserve your enthusiasm.”
We may fall, but we’re encouraged to get back up. Continue to die to ourselves daily and, instead, live for Christ.
We can never loose our faith.
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Today we were told to sell all we have and store up for ourselves, not treasures on earth, but treasurers in heaven.
This very passage has inspired many Christians, and today, we’ve looked at the life of one of them – St. Anthony of Egypt.
From his life, we’ve learned three valuable insights into living an ascetical life, into earning treasurers in heaven.
We’ve learned that our journey begins with the good news that Christ is already the victor! Christ took on flesh so that he could ensure victory also for us in our bodies. His death was transformed into resurrection and, so too, is our death transformed.
We also learned that our ascetical struggle is not a lonely one. Christ is there with us. Ascetical practices, such as the Jesus Prayer, brings us into communion with God. In this way, we embody the Word.
Finally, we were encouraged not to give up. Ascetical struggle, or praying constantly, is not easy. But, as St. Anthony reminds us, we shouldn’t fear evil, but instead,
“…draw inspiration from Christ always, and trust in him.”
Amen!
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P.S. Continue to be coached by the saints!
I now invite you to enter deeper into the mystery of Christ with the Orthodox Church!
St. Elias Services
Saturdays, 5 pm (at St. John’s Parish House, 1458 Locust St, Dubuque, IA)
Sundays, 9:30 am (at Hillcrest Chapel, 2001 Asbury Rd, Dubuque, IA)
Or find your nearest Orthodox Church by clicking here.
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Bibliography
St. Athanasius, The Life of Antony and the Letter to Marcellinus, translated by Robert C. Gregg (New Jersy: Paulist Press, 1980).