Section 56

This was the counsel Antony gave to those who came to him. He also had compassion on those who suffered and prayed with them.

The Lord often heard his prayer on behalf of many people. Yet Antony did not boast when his prayer was answered, nor did he complain when it was not. He always gave thanks to the Lord and urged the sufferer to be patient and to understand that healing belongs neither to Antony nor to any human being, but to the Lord alone, who does good when he wills and to whom he wills.

Those who suffered therefore received the old man’s words as though they were themselves a medicine. They learned not to lose heart but to endure patiently. Those who were healed were taught to give thanks not to Antony but to God alone.