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Then from the cloud came a voice that said,
“This is my beloved Son,
with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”
(Mt 4:11)

The Temptations of St. Anthony

Who pass through
this
land clinging
to Christ’s hand

will learn
that
strawberries are
not
large as man

and though skies
are
filled with imps
as
clouds of gnats

they may not touch
us
only menace
and
confuse for a time

that we may
understand

man

he prefers to
himself

though the father
of
lies would have
us
believe otherwise

and
not to know his
only
power is what
we
give to him

J. Janda


J. Janda’s poems have appeared in newspapers, magazines, anthologies, and literary publications, as well as in books of his own poetry.


The present poem comes from the Janda's book, In Embrace.

Art by Martin Erspamer, OSB
from Religious Clip Art for the Liturgical Year (A, B, and C). This art may be reproduced only by parishes who purchase the collection in book or CD-ROM form. For more information go http://www.ltp.org