Message from Padre Pio
You are not unaware of the fact that I desire to die and to love God; either death or love, given that life without this love is worse than death.
Reflection
How is it that I can go on living a life decrepit of love? love that thrives not on pleasure, but on sacrifice?
Scriptural Reading
Psalm 42:2-4
As the deer longs for streams of water, so my soul longs for you, O God. My being thirsts for God. When can I go and see the face of God? My tears have been my food day and night, as they ask daily, "Where is your God?"
Prayer
My Master of love, either a life in your love or death to a life that cannot nurture it! Amen.
Huwebes, Setyembre 7, 2017
Miyerkules, Setyembre 6, 2017
IN UNION WITH DIVINE LOVE
Day 105
Message from Padre Pio
We should make a great effort to become holy, and render great service to God and our neighbor.
Reflection
What greater service can I render than to be a minister providing spiritual direction and formation for my spouse and for my children?
Scriptural Reading
Psalm 128:1-4
Happy are all who fear the Lord, who walk in the ways of God. What your hands provide you will enjoy; you will be happy and prosper: like a fruitful vine your wife within your home, like olive plants your children around your table. Just so will they be blessed who fear the Lord.
Prayer
Father of families, may I be always reminded of my primary task: to serve with love and sacrifice for the material and spiritual development of the souls you have chosen to give me. May I die that they may live! Amen.
We should make a great effort to become holy, and render great service to God and our neighbor.
Reflection
What greater service can I render than to be a minister providing spiritual direction and formation for my spouse and for my children?
Scriptural Reading
Psalm 128:1-4
Happy are all who fear the Lord, who walk in the ways of God. What your hands provide you will enjoy; you will be happy and prosper: like a fruitful vine your wife within your home, like olive plants your children around your table. Just so will they be blessed who fear the Lord.
Prayer
Father of families, may I be always reminded of my primary task: to serve with love and sacrifice for the material and spiritual development of the souls you have chosen to give me. May I die that they may live! Amen.
Martes, Setyembre 5, 2017
IN UNION WITH DIVINE LOVE
Day 104
Message from Padre Pio
Do your best to conform always, and in everything, to the will of God, in all eventualities and do not fear. This is the sure path to heaven.
Reflection
When I suffer for any reason, do I still feel that this suffering is the will of God?
Scriptural Reading
Psalm 42:11-12
It shatters my bones, when my adversaries reproach me. They say to me daily: "Where is your God?" Why are you downcast, my soul, why do you groan within me? Wait for God, whom I shall praise again, my savior and my God.
Prayer
I am always tempted to think that suffering can never be your will, my Lord; why would you let someone you love suffer so much? But I understand that suffering is gradual detachment from the world and all its attractions and distractions; suffering is the gradual realization that you alone are my ultimate destiny! Amen.
Do your best to conform always, and in everything, to the will of God, in all eventualities and do not fear. This is the sure path to heaven.
Reflection
When I suffer for any reason, do I still feel that this suffering is the will of God?
Scriptural Reading
Psalm 42:11-12
It shatters my bones, when my adversaries reproach me. They say to me daily: "Where is your God?" Why are you downcast, my soul, why do you groan within me? Wait for God, whom I shall praise again, my savior and my God.
Prayer
I am always tempted to think that suffering can never be your will, my Lord; why would you let someone you love suffer so much? But I understand that suffering is gradual detachment from the world and all its attractions and distractions; suffering is the gradual realization that you alone are my ultimate destiny! Amen.
Lunes, Setyembre 4, 2017
IN UNION WITH DIVINE LOVE
Day 103
Message from Padre Pio
Remember what took place in the heart of our heavenly Mother at the foot of the cross. She was turned to stone before her crucified Son, due to excessive suffering, but you cannot say she was abandoned.
Reflection
When I suffer for the faith, do I feel abandoned?
Scriptural Reading
John 19:26-27
When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son." Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.
Prayer
Lord of the destitute and the forsaken, of the suffering and the mourning, I feel the pain of trying to do what is right and I feel the pain of being left alone. You are my refuge, my Lord, you are my only support! Amen.
Remember what took place in the heart of our heavenly Mother at the foot of the cross. She was turned to stone before her crucified Son, due to excessive suffering, but you cannot say she was abandoned.
Reflection
When I suffer for the faith, do I feel abandoned?
Scriptural Reading
John 19:26-27
When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son." Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.
Prayer
Lord of the destitute and the forsaken, of the suffering and the mourning, I feel the pain of trying to do what is right and I feel the pain of being left alone. You are my refuge, my Lord, you are my only support! Amen.
Linggo, Setyembre 3, 2017
IN UNION WITH DIVINE LOVE
Day 102
Message from Padre Pio
Let your will always be contrary to his suggestions, and live tranquilly...
Reflection
Why have we made life so complicated?
Scriptural Reading
Psalm 127:1-2
Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain who build. Unless the Lord guard the city, in vain does the guard keep watch. It is vain for you to rise early and put off your rest at night, to eat bread earned by hard toil—all this God gives to his beloved in sleep.
Prayer
O Lord, we have pushed our humanity to the limits. We have pushed our intellect, our passions, our freedom, and our sanity to the brink, in our desire to live a life which we think is the only one that exists. I know now, my dearest, that there is a better life, a more beautiful life that lasts forever. Keep me in peace. Amen.
Let your will always be contrary to his suggestions, and live tranquilly...
Reflection
Why have we made life so complicated?
Scriptural Reading
Psalm 127:1-2
Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain who build. Unless the Lord guard the city, in vain does the guard keep watch. It is vain for you to rise early and put off your rest at night, to eat bread earned by hard toil—all this God gives to his beloved in sleep.
Prayer
O Lord, we have pushed our humanity to the limits. We have pushed our intellect, our passions, our freedom, and our sanity to the brink, in our desire to live a life which we think is the only one that exists. I know now, my dearest, that there is a better life, a more beautiful life that lasts forever. Keep me in peace. Amen.
Sabado, Setyembre 2, 2017
IN UNION WITH DIVINE LOVE
Day 101
Message from Padre Pio
Temptations against faith and purity are the merchandise offered by the enemy...
Reflection
Am I tempted to abandon in reason what I have accepted in faith? Am I tempted to love by taking for myself what I desire in pleasure rather than to love by giving myself, what I am, and what I have in sacrifice?
Scriptural Reading
Tobit 8:5-10
She got up, and they started to pray and beg that deliverance might be theirs. He began with these words: "Blessed are you, O God of our fathers; praised be your name forever and ever. Let the heavens and all your creation praise you forever. You made Adam and you gave him his wife Eve to be his help and support; and from these two the human race descended. You said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone; let us make him a partner like himself.' Now, Lord, you know that I take this wife of mine not because of lust, but for a noble purpose. Call down your mercy on me and on her, and allow us to live together to a happy old age." They said together, "Amen, amen," and went to bed for the night. But Raguel got up and summoned his servants. With him they went out to dig a grave, for he said, "I must do this, because if Tobiah should die, we would be subjected to ridicule and insult."
Prayer
My dearest Jesus, may you always bless me to believe what you taught me to believe; and to love you as you taught me to love. Amen.
Temptations against faith and purity are the merchandise offered by the enemy...
Reflection
Am I tempted to abandon in reason what I have accepted in faith? Am I tempted to love by taking for myself what I desire in pleasure rather than to love by giving myself, what I am, and what I have in sacrifice?
Scriptural Reading
Tobit 8:5-10
She got up, and they started to pray and beg that deliverance might be theirs. He began with these words: "Blessed are you, O God of our fathers; praised be your name forever and ever. Let the heavens and all your creation praise you forever. You made Adam and you gave him his wife Eve to be his help and support; and from these two the human race descended. You said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone; let us make him a partner like himself.' Now, Lord, you know that I take this wife of mine not because of lust, but for a noble purpose. Call down your mercy on me and on her, and allow us to live together to a happy old age." They said together, "Amen, amen," and went to bed for the night. But Raguel got up and summoned his servants. With him they went out to dig a grave, for he said, "I must do this, because if Tobiah should die, we would be subjected to ridicule and insult."
Prayer
My dearest Jesus, may you always bless me to believe what you taught me to believe; and to love you as you taught me to love. Amen.
Biyernes, Setyembre 1, 2017
IN UNION WITH DIVINE LOVE
Day 100
Message from Padre Pio
As long as he makes an uproar, it is a sign that he has not yet possessed the will. Don't be upset by what you experience through the work of this rebellious angel.
Reflection
Was there a time that I had to face severe criticism or ridicule because I refused to do what clearly is against my conscience?
Scriptural Reading
Matthew 7:13-14
Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few.
Prayer
Amidst the noise of a world that cannot understand you, I can still hear your calm voice calling me to follow the straight but narrow way. Please be here with me always to guide me and comfort me. Amen.
As long as he makes an uproar, it is a sign that he has not yet possessed the will. Don't be upset by what you experience through the work of this rebellious angel.
Reflection
Was there a time that I had to face severe criticism or ridicule because I refused to do what clearly is against my conscience?
Scriptural Reading
Matthew 7:13-14
Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few.
Prayer
Amidst the noise of a world that cannot understand you, I can still hear your calm voice calling me to follow the straight but narrow way. Please be here with me always to guide me and comfort me. Amen.
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