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(13th June) 

Homily for the Feast of St. Anthony of Padua

READ: (1 Kgs 18: 41-46; Matt 5: 20-26) - (Year B)

REFLECT: Be Zealous for God’s mission, preach God’s word and work wonders in the name of God…

Dear friends, today we along with the Holy Mother Church celebrate the feast of St. Anthony of Padua. We all of us know and are aware that St. Anthony is most sought after saint and devotion to him is widespread in the Catholic Church, even the members of other religion too. He is appealed to in a special way as the patron saint for the recovery of lost items and is attributed with lots of wonders of finding lost people, lost things and even lost spiritual goods. Novenas and chaplets to St. Anthony help the devotees to meditate, reflect on the life-history and life-style of St. Anthony and come closer to God in a more intensified manner.  

St. Anthony of Padua or St. Anthony of Lisbon is a Portuguese Roman Catholic priest and friar of the Franciscan Order. He was born and brought up in a wealthy family in Lisbon, Portugal. He joined the Augustinian canons in 1210 and became a priest. In 1220 he joined the Franciscan order, hopefully to spread the good news of Jesus to the Saracens (Muslims) and obtain martyrdom. Surprisingly, on his way to Morocco, he fell seriously sick and was asked to return home. However, on his way back to Portugal the ship was taken to a different direction and finally he landed in Sicily. As he continued to suffer ill health, he was not permitted to pursue his missionary endeavors among the Saracens (The Roman Catholic Church and European Christian leaders used the term ‘Saracens’ during the Middle Ages to refer to Muslims usually Arabs, Turks, and Iranians). Instead, he had an opportunity to teach theology at Bologna, Italy, and at Montpellier, Toulouse, and Puy- en -Velay in southern France.

The later stages of life of St. Antony is that he went back to Italy from France, preaching and teaching, converting people for God. He was Back in Padua in 1231 and preached his last and most famous Lenten sermons. The people gathered for it were large in number that there was no place in the church even for people to occupy. However, the vigor and energy with which he preached during the Lenten season exhausted his spirit. He went to a little town near Padua to rest and recover, but he soon realized death was approaching near and he wanted to return to Padua, the city that he loved. On 13th June 1231 St. Antony gave up his spirit to God. He was buried in Our Lady of Padua Church and his mortal remains were taken to the Basilica at Padua that was newly built. On 12th May 1232 St. Antony was canonized by Pope Gregory IX.

Yes, St. Anthony had the capacity to teach the catholic faith in an easy and simple way to people.  Even the ordinary people could understand and grasp the faith message he taught. Perhaps, it is for this reason he was declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius XII on January 16, 1946. He was acclaimed and appreciated as great preacher and a teacher who could teach the catholic faith.  St. Antony is considered to be the patron saint of lost people, objects and property and he is invoked for the return of the same. He is also the patron saint of people of Padua, the poor, sailors, fishermen, priests and travelers, a protector and guardian of the mails, and wonder-worker.  

So based on the life events and the liturgy of the word, I would like to share with you three points of reflection;

1.     St. Antony - A zealous Missionary:

We all of us know that a zealous missionary is the one who has great enthusiasm and burning desire to preach and share the good news of Christ to everyone and everywhere.  A person with missionary zeal would put up with anything for it even if life may cost for it. The missionary zeal is born out of the love one has for God and an incomparable courage to face any shameful humiliation for the cause of the Gospel. The missionary zeal would elicit in them and would make them to talk about Jesus, even if they want to avoid. It is because of the zeal for mission of Christ. That’s what we see in the life of St. Anthony, who wished to be a zealous missionary and a committed priest for the cause of the Gospel.

The life of young priest St. Anthony takes altogether a decisive design when the bodies of the first five Franciscan martyrs were returned from Morocco. As Franciscans had engaged themselves in preaching God’s word at a mosque in Seville, they were warned about the dangers, but they persisted in preaching God’s word.  Consequently, the five Franciscans were to pay the price of life by martyrdom. Although, this event was sad and tragic which was witnessed by young Antony, it triggered him and raised his spirit to become a Franciscan. It is even said that St. Antony from the very beginning shared his feelings with the Franciscan brothers, “I would gladly put on the habit of your order if you would promise to send me as soon as possible to the land of the Saracens, that I may gain the crown of the Holy Martyrs.”  The zeal for missions and to fulfill the noble task he asked permission to leave the order of St. Augustine and later joined Franciscans.

Yes, such were the passions and zeal of St. Antony for mission. He stands as a model for all of us to commit ourselves to the cause of God’s word to spread all over. Such transitions in our lives would come about, when we have love for God and for God’s word like St. Antony. As the first reading from St. Paul’s second letter to Corinthian we read, “it is not yes and no but it is always ‘Yes’ with Christ.”  Such a life-turning and transforming incidents in the life of St. Antony is an eye-opener for all of us to say ‘yes’ to Christ, to his work and words always. Let us as well be passionate about proclaiming Christ in all the ways possible even if it’s small. In all things and all way, let us proclaim Christ and make him known everywhere.

2.     St. Antony - A powerful preacher:

One becomes a powerful preacher not by one’s own word, work and wisdom but by the power God working in and through the Holy Spirit. The power of God, the word of God and the Spirit of God animate one’s life. The preaching becomes more powerful to reach the world around. Most of us think that one’s power of preaching comes from higher education, sophisticated learning of tools and a great art or capacity for speech that we have. But if we realize in true sense, they are just a tool or means to help out in preaching. What makes the most is God’s power over us and the spirit in us. Perhaps, all would agree with me that St. Anthony was a powerful preacher, because God worked through him and used him for his work of proclamation.

As we know through the church tradition and history that St. Anthony was first recognized for his great gift of preaching at the ordination of Dominicans and Franciscans in 1222.  There was a little confusion among Dominicans and Franciscan as who would preach for the assembly gathered for ordination. The Dominicans thought the Franciscans would do as they were the host of Ordination and the Franciscans thought that Dominicans would do as they were known for preaching. Because of the lack of communication among them, the provincial superior suggested that one of the friars give a short sermon. The lot fell on St. Anthony and he was asked to preach. Although he initially resisted the offer, later he accepted and preached God’s word. His sermon was simple yet passionate and powerful that attracted many who participated in the ordination assembly. The spiritual fervor and growth of St. Antony began to bloom.

It is also important to note that St. Anthony lived at the time of St. Francis of Assisi. Having known to St. Francis of Assisi the talent, gift and knowledge of this Young priest Anthony, St Francis of Assisi assigns him to preach in northern Italy. There is a famous and traditional incident that occurred in the life of St. Anthony, where he made efforts to preach the Gospel to heretics but they weren’t ready to listen. As a result, he goes to the river nearby and preaches God’s word to the fish. The fish rushes towards him to listen God’s word. Upon seeing this miracle, the heretics come to their senses that they need to listen God’s word through the mouth of St. Anthony.

Further, it is also stated that St. Antony was only 36 years-old when he died and was canonized less than one year by Pope Gregory IX. Upon exhumation of his body, the body was found to be corrupted, but his tongue was totally fresh. It draws our attention to the importance of his tongue that he used in preaching God’s word. That’s why St. Bonaventure on seeing the incorrupt tongue took it lovingly and said, “O blessed tongue that always praised the Lord and made others bless him. Now it is evident what great merit you have before God.”  Yes, such is the power of preaching of St. Anthony. Today we are called to realize the gift of tongue and speech that God has given to us. Today there are many good preachers in the name of God, spreading good news but most often and most of us use the gift of tongue or speech to abuse or curse others. How happy we shall be when we use our tongues to speak good words, use the power of eloquence for God’s ministry and be a blessing to others. Let us participate in the spread of God’s word by the gift of the tongue or speech that God has given us by blessing and building up the Kingdom of God.

3.     St. Anthony – A wonder worker of God

We hear from the Psalmist, “Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all people” (Psalm 96:3). Yes, the wonders are done to bring God’s glory and magnificence in the world. The wonders that take place in the world make known the greatness and the goodness of God. The saints are just instruments and pathways of such wonders for us to experience God’s grandeur. Perhaps, St. Anthony is known for many wonders and healing in the lives of the people. Even today, many people rush and plea for help and support to this great saint. Therefore, the devotion to spreads widely and grows still more strongly and largely. There are many wonders St. Anthony worked in the name of God during his life time, like preaching to the Fish that rushed with eager longing and St. Antony fondling with Child Jesus but I would like to share couple of them.

There is a traditional story of the conversion of a heretic by name Bononillo, who refused to believe in the real prescience of Christ in the Holy Eucharist. St. Antony felt pity for him and wanted him to convert. So he engages in conversation with him that if the horse which he rode were to adore Christ in the Holy Eucharist, would he believe in the real presence of Jesus Christ? The heretic agreed for it. After few days, where the horse was not given food for two days and the third he brought it out. He placed before the horse a bundle of hay and on the other hand St. Antony with the Holy Eucharist stood by. The heretic probably thought that the horse would turn to the bundle of hay for want of food, but to his surprise the horse turned towards St. Antony, knelt before the Holy Eucharist. As a result, the heretic was converted and believed in the Lord.

There is also another incident because of which St. Anthony is addressed or thought as the finder of lost things or objects.  As St. Antony had a prayer book of psalms that was dear to him and he himself had written it and used to recite regularly. It so happened one day that a novice stole the prayer book of St. Antony and ran away. Anthony prayed for the return of the book.  Soon the novice returned the book upon seeing an apparition that ordered him to give back the stolen Psalter. The novice returned the prayer book and sought Anthony’s forgiveness for the act.

Yes, we all of us can work wonders, provided we believe in Jesus and take the name of God to glorify and acknowledge him that it is God who works wonders and we are all just workers of the same wonder. Many of us can’t work wonders because we are not deeply rooted in God or do not have sufficient faith in God or do not work in the name of God but one’s name. The gospel reading of the day speaks to us the metaphor of salt and light and calls salt and light of the world. That becomes a pointer for us to reflect how St. Antony resembled Christ by being salt and light of the world. We can be sure that St. Antony was a salt who added taste and flavor of God to people, a light that shone for all to see God truly. The power of St. Antony’s preaching, the missionary zeal of St. Antony and the wonder work of St. Antony in the name of God are only the ways of being salt and light of the world in the name of Jesus Christ. As Jesus calls us, it is our duty and responsibility to be salt and light of the world as Christians and Catholics, bearing witness to Christ in life. 

To conclude,  we hear in the first reading from Firs book of Kings that the hand of God was on Elijah, signifying that God was with Elijah as his strength and support. The Gospel reading of the day from St. Mathew gives us clear hint that we are called to be messengers of love, mercy, compassion and generosity. That's what Jesus says in the gospel not to be angry with others, not to call others as fool and not to hate or have remorseful feeling with our brothers and sister. It is a call to reconciliation and acceptance of others as God's gift. Let us pray that St. Anthony, who so kind and compassionate by the grace of God may intercede for us and make us messengers of mercy and love to all in the world. 

RESPOND:

Do we have the missionary zeal to proclaim Christ in little ways by an act of kindness and compassion?

Do we use the gift of Speech and tongue to proclaim God’s word and bless God’s people?

Do we work wonders in the name of God as workers of God and do we own the wonders that take place?

Let our tongue Confess Jesus and bless people, manifest our missionary zeal in compassion and courage and work wonders in the name of God. Amen.

Happy Feast of St. Antony! God bless us all! Live Jesus

Fr. Ramesh George MSFS

rameshvkmsfs@gmail.com

9500930968