Gems From the Desert

St. Anthony once asked God about the reason why children die young while those who are advanced in age live for many years, why godly people are poor while evil people are rich, why some people see while others are blind, why the righteous suffer from the pains of illness while the unrighteous are healthy.

He heard a voice from heaven answering, "Anthony, focus on yourself, for these things are within God's wisdom."


Another time, St. Anthony saw the devil's snares set-up all over the earth. He sighed and wondered, "O Lord, who can escape from all this?"

A voice answered from heaven, "The humble ones escape."