Anthony the Great, called ‘The Father of Monks’, was born in central Egypt about A. D. 251, the son of peasant farmers who were Christian. As a young man he heard the Gospel read in church and applied to himself the words: ‘Go, sell all that you have and give to the poor and come . . . .’ He devoted himself to a life of asceticism under the guidance of a recluse near his village. Later he went alone into the desert to live in complete solitude. His reputation attracted followers, who settled near him, and he came out of his hermitage in order to act as their spiritual father. He is said to have lived until the age of 105.

When the same Abba Anthony thought about the depth of the judgements of God, he asked, ‘Lord, how is it that some die when they are young, while others drag on to extreme old age? Why are there those who are poor and those who are rich? Why do wicked men prosper and why are the just in need?’

He heard a voice answering him, ‘Anthony, keep your attention on yourself; these things are according to the judgement of God, and it is not to your advantage to know anything about them.’