Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint Pius of Pietrelcina, Priest
Readings: Hg 1:1-8; PS 149:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9b; Lk 9:7-9
Notes: Padre Pio day!
A modern day saint. His story is worth a short read.
Padre Pio made reconciliation with God profoundly personal and deep for each penitent.
The efficacy of the Sacrament of Reconciliation is always assured, the power flows from the Trinity, but the intimacy of the ministry and ministering of the Sacrament was profoundly life changing.
He was a short, bright light in a dim world.
The life and mission of Padre Pio testify that difficulties and sorrows, if accepted with love, transform themselves into a privileged journey of holiness, which opens the person toward a greater good, known only to the Lord.
https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-pio-of-pietrelcina
First reading
Haggai’s ministry (August to December 520 B.C.) was a bright and shining example to us all. His ministry was a short one but impactful.
The people had been restored in the natural life with good crops, trade and wealth. Things were looking up. But not so Haggai says. Careful now!
The material life, while naturally good, is nothing if not based in the health of the faith.
The health of the community is directly impacted by the health of the Temple.
The people listened and the temple was restored begrudged or less than enthusiastically.
In the second chapter of Haggai, the Lord promises a new reversal. The new Temple will be even grander and better filled with gifts from around the world. Some point to King Herod, the Great, as the builder of this temple prophecy.
We, Christians says, it was Jesus himself who built the new Temple made of living stone.
Responsorial Psalm
The Lord takes delight in his people.
Alleluia Verse
I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord;
no one comes to the Father except through me.
Gospel Portion
Herod the tetrarch (not the Great) had his full of the natural goods of the world.
Like the people at the time of Haggai, the people had lost the connection to the temple’s purpose and meaning. Jesus has come to rebuild this temple, not of stone, as this structure will be destroyed by the Romans, but by a living stone.
Our good is life with you forever, and because we turned away from that, we became twisted. Let us return to you that we may not be overturned. Our good is life with you and suffers no deficiency (Ps. 101:28); for you yourself are that good. We have no fear that there is no home to which we may return because we fell from it. During our absence, our house suffers no ruin; it is your eternity
– Saint Augustine of Hippo
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
Deacon Gerry Palermo 