Aug. 24, 2012 Friday: St. Bartholomew, Apostle

Nathanael said to Jesus, "How do you know me?"

Live in a humble, gentle way, in love with our heavenly Bridegroom. Do not be troubled about not remembering all your minor shortcomings for confession. No, daughter, it is not right for you to grieve about this, because you often fall without realizing it, and similarly you get back up again without realizing it. …With honesty and humility about the failures you can recall, refer them to the gentle mercy of God, who places his hand beneath those who fall without choosing to lest they harm or wound themselves. He also lifts them up and comforts them so quickly that they are unaware they have fallen because his divine hand caught them as they fell. They are unaware they have been lifted up because this happens so quickly that they have no time to notice it.
-St. Padre Pio