“I PREFER TO BE A DISCIPLE, BUT NOT A MASTER”      3

Seeing that his plan to die as a martyr in the land of the Saracenes was not fulfilled, Anthony went to Spain. On the way strong winds obliged him to land on Sicily. We can see the hidden hand of God leading Anthony to fulfill the Divine Plan. Then followed the Great Chapter mentioned in the first Posting, where we find Anthony choosing to be a kitchen-hand with the Community led by Father Graziano of Romagna.

Anthony pleaded with his superior, Graziano, to send him to a solitary place where he could live in peace and mortifications. Thereby Anthony was sent to the hermitage of Monte Paolo. There he lived as a hermit; a life of fasting, praying and meditation about the Word of God, to be well-prepared for when the occasion arises to spread the Good News.

Though endowed with the spirit of Wisdom he always hid the talents he was being enriched by the Lord. He made it a point to present himself as the weakest and most backward in culture and holiness, the reason why he made it a point to ask for the most menial jobs of the community … a kitchen-hand. To keep him going he kept in mind the fact that ‘Jesus, the master washed the feet of His apostles’ (John 13:4). So much so Anthony used to wash the feet of his brother friars, and after wiping them he used to kiss their feet. If this was not a sign of deep humility, what was?

When he was once chosen to be a superior he behaved as if he was the least of his brethren. We are here reminded of the words found in Bin Sirak, 32:1 ‘Are you at the head of the table? Do not pride yourself, behave as if you are one your brethren.’

Anthony always preferred to be subject to others than be in a position to give orders; better be a disciple than a master.

Following Anthony’s life we shall see that God’s Divine Plans for this holy soul were very different from Anthony’s programme of life. God wanted to work through Anthony by means of his teachings, sermons and miracles wrought through him,. Anthony emptied himself because of his great humility and Hod filled him with Divine Powers.                /4