Have always had a special place in my heart and mind for Padre Pio. Many reasons but mainly just because somehow I do and have, ever since my conversion to the Church years ago. Am yet amazed that as a Protestant prior, I never had any clue of these marvelous saints, particularly Padre Pio due to the photographs and films and the news of his life and passing--and obviously, the miracle of his stigmata.
I've collected and read much of what he's written including his letters up to the last volume printed, and what is translated into English. But the following, taken from Buona Giornata, p.21, I don't recall as not in my hermitage library. I particularly notice his point of recognizing we are, first of his list of descriptions: nothing.
"It is of capital importance that you emphasize what is the basis for holiness and the foundation of goodness. I mean, to talk about the virtue of which Jesus presents himself explicitly as the model: humility (cf. Mt 11:29*). Inner humility, more inner than outward.
"Recognize who you truly are: a nothing, something quite miserable, weak, full of defects, capable of turning good into bad, to let go the good for the bad, to attribute to yourself the good, and to justify yourself in doing bad, and for love of evil, to despise the One who is the Supreme Good.
"Never go to bed before having first examined your conscience to consider how you spent your day. Turn all your thoughts towards the Lord and consecrate to Him your own person as well as all Christians. Then offer to His glory the sleep you will get, without ever forgetting your guardian angel, who is always at your side."
This is, also, pertinent and wise guidance for all of us the world over, in our on-going struggle and enduring attempts to STOP THE SPREAD of COVID-19.
We will need to follow these guidelines and change our way of interacting going forward. Be considerate of others, wash hands more than we ever dreamed necessary, not shake hands, wash our clothes more often, wash our fruits and vegetables, disinfect store-bought items. We must now and in future not go out or to work when we have a cold or light case of flu--something many people did without thinking twice about it in the past.
And above all, we all really do need to return to God, or in some cases turn to God when never have prior. COVID-19 is a call for change. We are being asked and in many ways forced by God's will and allowing, and the consequences of our actions and mis-actions: CONVERSION and DEEPER CONVERSION.
We are showing by our behaviors in this very time period of a couple or three weeks, our characters, our vices, and our virtues. It does seem woefully obvious that our country and our world are showing a conflict between those with virtues and those with vices. Globally, we are yet to discover if the virtuous will be greater and more effective in outcomes than those attached to vices. We are being given an opportunity to discern character of ourselves and of others. May we do so with honesty and self-truth and reality.
God bless His Real Presence in us!
* Matthew 11:29: "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS."
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