The Memorial of St Anthony, Abbot

Heb. 3:7-14, Mk 1:40-45. In today’s Gospel, Jesus cured a man with leprosy when he came up and begged Him to heal his afflictions. The Lord was moved by his faith and effort and healed him from the leprosy, allowing him to return to the larger community from where he had been exiled from. The return to the community of faith is the basis of all reconciliation. Today's first reading reminds us of the need for conversion of minds, to turn away from past sinful ways and actions. If leprosy is a disease that strikes the flesh, damaging the muscles and the tissues of body, which eventually can cause death unless it is treated and managed, then sin is a disease that is far more serious, as it affects very deeply within the beings, corrupting and attacking the very souls and cores of the whole beings.

We need healing for our sins, to be touched by God Who is able to forgive us from our sins. Today, we celebrate the memorial of a holy man and devout servant of God, whose life can probably be an inspiration for us on how we should become closer in love and long for God. St Anthony the Abbot, also known as St Anthony the Great lived during the mid fourth century after the birth of Christ, as one of the famous early Christian monks, who helped to popularise the concept of monasticism among the faithful. He lived in the then Roman province of Egypt, born to a wealthy landowning family but then chose to leave everything behind and sold his properties to feed the poor and went to the desert to be a monk.

May God, our loving Father, continue to bless us and guide us in our journey of life, so that in everything we do and say, we will always glorify His Name and walk in His ways! Amen!! Good morning and have a wonderful day!!!