September 23
Saint Padre Pio
Today's Gospel: Luke
9:1-6
Today’s Gospel:
Luke 9:1-6
(Mission of The Twelve)
Reflection:
Jesus sends the Twelve out and tells them to take nothing. No staff, or bag, no food, no money, absolutely nothing. Whatever they needed, they would have to trust would meet them along the way on the road. It's a strange trusting kind of commissioning, to be stripped away from every safety net, then send men out to preach and heal in your name. But you see, that was exactly the whole point. Total dependence and trust wasn't the risk in the plan; it was indeed the plan.
Padre Pio understood that kind of dependence better than almost anyone. For fifty years he bore the wounds of Christ's crucifixion in his own body; he was investigated repeatedly by his own Church, at times forbidden to say Mass or hear confessions publicly while questions about the stigmata dragged on. He never ever defended himself; he stayed faithful and had full trust; he never asked for vindication or restored reputation. He had only the grace to keep going wherever obedience sent him, carrying nothing but his faithfulness, the same kind of empty-handed trust Jesus demanded of the Twelve, lived out over decades.
If you've ever walked the path on the far side of the dome here at the Fatima Shrine, you've likely passed a statue of Padre Pio, hands marked with wounds he never asked to carry. Just like this path, we trust that our Lord will provide for our needs and trust that we need not secure everything in our lives in order to be on the path. Our paths in life will have turns and curves that may catch us off guard, and we may even experience the unexpected, but we must trust fully that Jesus will be by our side through it all, no matter what happens, so we must fully remain faithful even when it may appear we are alone; we are not.
That's the trust today’s Gospel asks of you too. There is no comfort, it may not have any certainty, and there is no guarantee that you will be believed by anyone at all. We must have just enough faith to take the next step on the road with empty hands, just like the Apostles did, and the same way Padre Pio did for fifty years. Let us look at what the Apostles did in their lives and how they died in faithfulness.
What Were the Occupations
of The 12 Apostles?
1. Andrew –
Fisherman
2. Bartholomew or Nathanael – Scholar
3. James the elder – Tradesman
4. James the lesser – Kid in the Village
5. John – Fisherman
6. Judas Iscariot – Traitor (Treasurer)
7. Jude or Thaddeus – Kid in the
Village
8. Matthew or Levi – Tax Collector
9. Peter – Fisherman
10. Philip – Preacher
11. Simon the Zealot – Into Politics
12. Thomas – Kid in The Village
How did the 12 Apostles die?
1. Andrew - Crucified on an X-shaped cross
2. Bartholomew or Nathanael - Flayed alive
with knives
3. James the elder - First apostle martyred
4. James the lesser - Sawn in pieces
5. John - Died of natural causes on the isle
of Patmos
6. Judas Iscariot - Hung himself
7. Jude or Thaddeus - Killed with
arrows
8. Matthew or Levi - Martyred in Ethiopia
9. Peter - Crucified upside down on a cross
10. Philip - Died by hanging
11. Simon the Zealot - Died a martyr’s death
12. Thomas - Killed with a spear
What is it that you are
still trying to secure for yourself in your own life, before you will fully
trust Him with empty hands the way Padre Pio did? Is it that house you always
wanted, a title or reputation you have always desired, or is it a huge bank account
that gives you your most sense of security. When will you fully put your faith
and trust 100% in Jesus Christ?
Rosary Man Jim 🌹
Freely given. Freely shared.
