“Go to the ant, O sluggard, study her ways and learn wisdom; for though she has no chief, no commander or ruler, she procures her food in the summer, stores up her provisions in the harvest.” (Proverbs 6:6-8).
Saint Augustine, the African saint and Bishop of Hippo in North Africa, who lived in the 4th century after Christ, once said: “Emulate the tiny ant; be an ant of God. Listen to the word of God and hide it in your heart. Collect plenty of food during the happy days of your spiritual summers. You will then be able to endure the difficult days of temptations during the winters of your soul.” (Sermon 38,6).
This metaphor of the ant is a profound lesson on spiritual diligence and preparation. By urging us to “emulate the tiny ant,” Saint Augustine calls us to embody the ant’s qualities of perseverance and foresight.
Just as ants are known for their relentless work ethic and capacity to gather and store food diligently, Saint Augustine encourages us to apply similar diligence to our spiritual lives by consistently engaging with spiritual practices, studying sacred texts, and living according to divine teachings.
Ants are famous for preparing for the future by storing food during times of plenty. Saint Augustine uses this as a metaphor for spiritual preparation. During periods of spiritual ease or growth (the “happy days of your spiritual summers”), we should focus on deepening our faith and understanding through regular prayer, meditation, and study of sacred texts. By asking us to hear the word of God and “hide it in [our] hearts,” he means that we should internalise the Church’s teachings and allow them to influence our thoughts, actions, and decisions.
By storing up spiritual resources during times of ease, we can better endure challenging periods which he likens to the “winters of your soul,” where temptations and trials are prevalent. Just as ants survive harsh winters due to their preparedness, we can withstand spiritual struggles if we invest in our faith during more favorable times.
Our spiritual life, like nature, has cycles: periods of growth and joy, which we can use to fortify our spirit, and difficult times, moments of temptation, which we can face with greater resilience if we are adequately prepared.
In summary, Saint Augustine’s advice emphasises the importance of spiritual preparedness and the value of using times of ease to build strength and resilience for future challenges. It is a call to live intentionally and to view spiritual practices as both an act of devotion and a practical strategy for enduring life’s trials.
