“Anthony (the Desert Father) used to say that it is a person’s duty to devote all their time to the soul rather than to the body, while allowing the body only a brief moment for its needs. But all the rest, he should entrust all the more eagerly to the soul and seek its well-being, so that it might not be dragged down by the pleasures of the body, but rather, on the contrary, the body might be subject to the soul.” (Saint Athanasius)
Saint Athanasius, the bishop, was persecuted for his fidelity to the faith. He defended the divinity of Christ against the Arian heresy and sought refuge among the hermits in the desert.
He deeply absorbed their teachings and oriented his spiritual life toward them. The hermits exemplified the proper hierarchy of life. More attention must be given to the immortal soul than to the body, which is subject to transience. Holy Scripture also makes this clear to us:
“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek all these things; and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day’s own trouble be sufficient for the day.” (Mt 6:31–34)
From the Desert Fathers, whose strict asceticism we certainly cannot imitate, we can nevertheless learn that we should care more for our souls than for our physical needs. This is what the Heavenly Father reminds us of through their witness, as it is also written in Scripture:
“For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give in return for his life?” (Mt 16:26)