The Torment of Saint Anthony
This is the first known painting by Michelangelo, described by his earliest biographers and believed to have been painted when he was twelve or thirteen years old, around 1487. The rare subject is found in the life of Saint Anthony the Great, written by Athanasius of Alexandria in the fourth century, which describes how the Egyptian hermit-saint had a vision that he levitated into the air and was attacked by demons, whose torments he withstood. This is one of only four paintings regarded as genuine Michaelangelo, who considered himself first and foremost a sculptor. It currently hangs in the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, https://kimbellart.org/collection/ap-200901. (Photo courtesy of Kimbell Art Museum website).
Friday, January 7, 2022
Yesterday was Epiphany. The word itself in Greek means, “to make manifest.” In every generation Christians have chosen to flee from the chaos of society to find inner peace in solitude. These men and women are monastics, hesychasts, a word we don’t use much in Methodism because our evangelical understanding of the Wesleys does not necessarily take us there. But, we need to go deeper. Hesychasm doesn’t mean “gazing at one’s navel” as those who really don’t understand it are often wont to describe it. And, usually those who don’t know it use the phrase in a negative way.
Jesus spoke of the need to balance the active life with reflection. It is found in the Sermon on the Mount:
“'And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” – Matthew 6:5-6 NRSV-CE
No one who has read the gospels can doubt that Jesus’ life was an active life, a ministry engaging the needs of individuals, villages, his nation, those in deep need. Yet, we see him retreat and reflect, connecting with his Abba. Jesus’ wisdom continues to cause his followers to “go deeper” and to reflect not just on what is going on around us, but inside us as well.
As we look at the turmoil in our nation and world, we might ask the question, “Where does it come from?”
Outer chaos is often the result of inner chaos. Lack of peace and structure in the outer world parallels lack of internal structure and peace, those who are driven by passions or needs which control them, instead of controlling what is in the depths, and that which is common to all flesh.
What is on the inside can erupt on the outside. One of the tasks of spiritual formation is to come to grips with what is on the inside, subject it to God’s grace and deep love, bringing inner healing and renewed direction and purpose.
Jesus’ own day was filled with violence and upheaval. But he and his followers retreated to find a deep resonance in God’s Spirit, which they, in turn, carried into their outer ministries.
This pattern was continued by Anthony the Great, the first of the Desert Fathers (251-356 A.D.) His ministry took place in Egypt. He went to his prayer “cell” and remained there, reflecting on scripture, praying to God and listening. He began an angry man. He emerged a peaceful man.
John Wesley urged his followers to “flee from the wrath to come.” Late 18th century England was also a period of upheaval. The British slave trade was a lucrative business. Yet it destroyed the souls not only of those sold into slavery, but also the souls of those who bought and sold human beings. William Wilberforce, a contemporary of the Wesley brothers (1759-1833) finally overthrew the British slave trade. Wesley encouraged him to continue until even the American slave trade was vanquished. The periods of upheaval in Europe due to wars, the so called “French and Indian War” in the colonies (meaning on our shores) brought great suffering. The wars were driven by the need for power and wealth. The result was death.
We want to forget these things because they are in the past. We are now in a time when we are being reminded that no, those things in the past have made an impact which lasts even til today.
I was utterly shocked a year ago when a mob of people, some of them carrying or wearing Trump regalia, or Confederate regalia, or hoisting the Gadsden Flag (Don’t Tread on Me), attacked our Capitol. I believe that if the American people will “step back and reflect on a year ago,” the truth of what happened will emerge. Truth will end chaos and bring new days, days guided by God’s Shalom.
How do we recognize truth? For those who follow Jesus, it begins with scripture, allowing it to take deep root in us, shaping us, molding us to Jesus’ Way. When we worship the Lord we declare who is the Center of the Universe. Those of us who worship “in spirit and in truth” know that only God is God. There is no other.
I am an American, but I am Jesus’ follower first. I love our country, but not more than Christ. I would not describe myself as a Christian nationalist.
How can we overcome the chaos in our nation? Proclaim the gospel in word and deed. Let the Spirit who dwells in us become manifest in word and deed. Let the deep Shalom of God which dwells in us be made manifest in worship, scripture study, missions, prayer, the sacraments and as we encounter others in our communities who are confused or lost. Listen to them. Don’t judge them. Be a prayerful presence for them. Build trust. And, maybe, just maybe, there will be an opportunity for genuine encounter, where deep fears, anxieties, hurts, and hates can be spoken and named, losing their power over others and us.
We don’t all necessarily need to “flee to the desert.” Instead we can create prayer cells at home, if we’re not afraid of being “pietistic.” Genuine piety is a good thing. It's not a goody-goody thing. It's honest. It recognizes the evil within us and around us. And it is not fooled by disguised methods of the Enemy, no matter how subtle they are.
We are in a spiritual struggle. I’m not kidding. And the only way to overcome evil is with good, not more evil.
Words upon which to reflect, one day after Epiphany.
Your brother, Chris
Chris Madison
The Rev. Chris Madison
The Rev. Chris Madison is a retired clergy member of the Indiana Annual Conference and a former hospital chaplain. This post is republished with permission from the author's Facebook page.