“[Saint Anthony] said, in his solitude, he sometimes encountered devils who looked like angels, and other times he found angels who looked like devils. When asked how he could tell the difference, the saint said that you can only tell which is which by the way you feel after the creature has left your company.”― Elizabeth Gilbert
It is said that the angels were once moved by the godly and beautiful life of a saint on the earth who, wherever he went, diffused goodness as a flower diffuses the sweetness of its odor. Greatly interested, they came down to investigate the secret of his power. So impressed were the angels with the life of this saint that they summoned him to them and offered him the gift of miracles. By the touch of his hand he would be able to heal the sick or raise the dead. But the saint declined the gift, saying that God alone could heal the sick. Then they offered him the power to convert sinners and turn men unto repentance. Again the saint declined, saying that only the Holy Spirit could work the grace of repentance in human souls. The angels then offered the saint the power to become a model of goodness, so that men might be drawn to him by the virtue of his life. But this, too, the saint declined, declaring that if men were drawn to him they might be estranged from God. Perplexed, the angels then asked him what he desired. The saint answered, “That I might have His grace, so that I might do good to men without knowing it.” Then the angels decreed among themselves that wherever the shadow of this saint fell where he himself could not see it, the shadow should cure disease and heal broken hearts and wipe away tears.
We admire Saints, We Desire Fame, but We settle for Comfort!
What makes someone a saint? Do you settled already?
Is there someone in your life you admire? Why?
Sermon Notes: Sermon Notes 10.28.12 Surrounded by Saints
Sermon Slides: Worship 10.28.12 Surrounded by Saints
Sermon Audio: Surrounded by Saints 10.28.12L
Surrounded by Saints 10.28.12E
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