Sept. 23, 2019: Padre Pio (St. Pio of Pietricina)

Sept. 23, 2019: Padre Pio (St. Pio of Pietricina)

Padre Pio’s Words of Wisdom

We are capable of turning good into evil, of abandoning the good for evil, of attributing to ourselves good that we do not have or that has been loaned to us, of justifying our wrongdoing, and, in coddling our wrongdoing, of scorning the Highest Good. With this clearly understood, 

1. You must never flatter yourself for whatever good you might notice in yourself, because everything good comes to you from God, and you need to give the honor and glory to him. 

2. Do not complain about offenses done to you, no matter where they come from. 

3. You must forgive everyone with Christian charity, remembering the example of the Redeemer, who forgave even those who crucified him.… 

4. You must not be surprised at all at your weaknesses and imperfections, but, recognizing who you are, you need to blush at your inconstancy and unfaithfulness to God.

You can be certain, that what most assures us of perfection is the virtue of patience. If it is necessary to practice it with other people, then it is indeed fitting that we exercise it toward ourselves as well. In fact, people who aspire to a pure love for God need more patience with themselves than with others. We need to resign ourselves to enduring our imperfections so that we can arrive at perfection. I am saying that you should put up with imperfections—that does not mean you should cherish them or be fond of them—because humility grows through this suffering. 

St. Pio of Pietricina

PADRE PIO’S SPIRITUAL DIRECTION FOR EVERY DAY Edited by Gianluigi Pasqual