WEDNESDAY 23RD SEPTEMBER 2020
25TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR II
MEMORIAL OF ST. PIO OF PIETRELCINA
Proverbs 30:5-9, Luke 9:1-6
OPEN MINDEDNESS TO THE PROMPTINGS OF THE SPIRIT
The first reading and the gospel reading prove to us that quest for money and material things can make us lose focus on what God has called us to do. We as Christians truly need the grace of perseverance and contentment.
In the first reading, we see the saying that virtue lies in the middle come to play. Poverty is not an excuse to evil doing, and riches should not make us lose focus. Whether rich or poor, we can serve God well.
In the gospel reading, we hear Jesus tell his Apostles as he sends them out on mission, not to crave after wealth and material things. They should not seek comfort and affluence.These would come on their own, pursuing them would make one to lose focus in living a life worthy of one's calling.
This detachment from material things is very evident in the life of St Pio of Pietrelcina whose memorial we celebrate today. He is a saint of the 19th century, born in 1887 in Italy. Filled with the love of God and neighbour, he left everything and joined the Capuchin Frairs at the age of 16 and was ordained a priest 7 years later. His love for God and neighbour as well as his holy life was very obvious. He was blessed with spiritual gifts especially in spiritual direction and the confessional where he spend long hours. God singled him out for a very rare grace, the stigmata. He was also blessed with the grace of bi-location. St Pio was said to have celebrated the Holy mass and performed other functions in two places at the same time. His piety made many people refer to him as the second St Francis of Assisi. St Pio is said to have had many mystical experiences such as visits from the blessed virgin Mary and communication with the Angels. He had the gift of prophecy and healing. Many miracles are ascribed to him. He died in 1968, and was canonized in 2002 by Pope John Paul II.
If we go about our work and do not focus our attention on material things, God will surely use us mightily and enrich us. God help us. Amen.
Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP
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