HOMILY OF SATURDAY IN THE 24TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A
Saint Pius of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio
Saint Pius of Pietrelcina, commonly known as Padre Pio, was a revered Italian Capuchin friar who bore the stigmata, the wounds of Christ. Renowned for his piety and mystical experiences, he spent his life in service, offering spiritual guidance, and receiving countless pilgrims. His extraordinary devotion and humility endeared him to many, and he is celebrated as a remarkable modern-day saint, known for his miracles and compassion.
1 Timothy 6:13-16, Luke 8:4-15
THEME: BEARING FRUITS AMIDST ALL ODDS
The parable of the Sower in today’s gospel clearly illustrates that it is not everyone who would receive our message in the same manner. We may think today that the result we get today may not be commensurate with the effort we put in, God who knows how to grant increase can multiply the fraction which stands amidst all odds.
Some hear the words, but the devil steals them from their hearts. The devil has a way of stealing Godly values from people’s hearts. These may come from the media, erroneous teaching from the pulpits and bad examples from those who should lead the way. He knows how to create chaos, capable of choking life out of people who in turn would be ready to do anything to survive.
With a good understanding of the devil’s strategies and the corrosive impact of societal chaos on our Christian principles, it is our collective duty to remain steadfast and ensure that the genuine word of God takes root within us. We must not allow our trials or any form of excitement we get now to crowd our sense of the sacred.
Padre Pio was a good minister of Christ, who did not just evangelize by words, but also by his piety and demonstration of God’s divine gifts in him. During his days, he battled Satan and delivered many souls from his shackles.
May he intercede for us that the gospel he preached may continue to have root in the heart of our own generation. Amen.
