Saint Anthony was born to money and land. He would give it all away as he listened to the word of God. The scripture spoke to him about giving away all and to not worry about tomorrow.
To not be anxious about anything.
And that s how he lived. He was an important influence on monasticism for his ascetic way of life. His focus without reservation on the Word of God. He held nothing back and clung to nothing else. He truly loved God with all his heart and soul.
For you and me he is an inspiration and a challenge.
How do I live?
What have I given God? My few minutes for prayer? What is extra in the budget for tithing?
How much of my life is oriented toward following Jesus?
These are tough questions for us.
But we must remember we are all called to be saints like St Anthony. Everyone is called to sainthood.
How do we take a step in that direction? What small things can we not hold onto today? Where can we include Jesus that we have perhaps excluded him from?
How can we give more to the poor and Holy Mother Church who feeds so many, heals the sick and promotes the body of Christ here on earth?
None of us have gotten it right yet. We are all sinners who strive to do better.
But we are not to beat ourselves up about it but keep turning back to Jesus. Keep growing closer to the example the saints gave us.
After all Jesus ate and spent time with sinners just like us. He came down to be with the sinners. Not the righteous.
Jesus wants to spend today with us, share a meal with us. Be in our company. Let’s invite him to be more a part of our life. And experience his love throughout our day. To allow him to remove the anxiety and worry about things that really don’t matter.
Deacon Tony Pynes 
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