Charles. A. Contemplative.

In the desert Antony lived a monastic, ascetic, and contemplative life. He focused his attention on prayer. This drew the attention from many who considered prayer a significant spiritual power. People came from nearby towns and places that were far off. They sought out Antony as one who had been close to God, and had experienced the “higher life” that ascetics pursued. This attention to prayer, though, also drew the attention of opposing spiritual powers who were seeking to beat back the presence of God that Antony welcomed as he practiced being with the Lord in continual conversational communion. 

Athanasius records that at least one time, Antony faced a whole mountainside of demons as they pushed back against his soul’s devotion to prayer and living constantly in the presence of the Lord. Yet, even in the face of such spiritual opposition, Antony’s dedication to prayer never wavered, and God bestowed on him favor and spiritual authority because of his intentional friendship with God. It’s astonishing to read about Antony’s dedication, even through the most intense spiritual battles. Yet, it is gloriously sobering to realize that the same power, the same authority, and the same victory over demons is mine… and is ours through Jesus Christ our Savior. 

Antony is not alone, nor is he an anomaly. He is just an obedient saint; a willing follower; a transformed human who decided to give up the pleasures of this physical world so that he might attain a higher life that is defined by the one who created him. 

Antony is one of many. 

He is one of many ascetics. He is one of many contemplatives. He is one of many monks who gave up everything to seek Jesus. I am one who, in some ways… definitely not in enough ways, has given up future pursuits, monetary gains, earthly pleasures that fade in order to gain Christ. Yet, I know that there is still more. More that I need to give up. More of me that needs to be refined. More of Jesus that I want to gain. As it was with Antony, as well as with many other ascetics, the limit to my acquisition of the higher, deeper, richer life in Jesus lies with me and my devotion to the Holy Spirit and the disciplines that allow me to hear His voice. 

As for my journey, I am almost finished reading through the story of Antony of Egypt. He is an inspiration and a model. I have already begun to pray for people in my life from whom I may learn from, and assimilate their spiritual disciples into my own. May the journey be not mine alone, but may you also accept the challenge to emulate those in your spiritual community. May we as a community of contemplatives seek to draw closer in friendship to Jesus, so that we too can face a mountain of demons, and not be swayed by the spiritual darkness surrounding us.