The movement of the human soul, and human society in general, from its fallen chaotic state towards divine order is at the heart of the Blog of Padre Pio Press. Writings, ponderings, and reflections on this movement of the soul are authored by Fr. Cliff Ermatinger and by the occasional Guest Contributor. The articles and recordings are relegated to the following areas:
Throughout the Month of May,
Padre Pio Press Cordially Invites Its Readership to Join In Saying:
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Eighth Sunday After Pentecost — Homily by Fr. Ermatinger
Parable of the Unjust Steward, A.N. Mironov, 2021
Transcription of Homily
Translation of the Epistle for the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost.
We are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh, you shall die: but if by the Spirit you mortify the deeds of the flesh, you shall live. For whosoever are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For you have not received the spirit of bondage again in fear; but […]
St. Augustine, Are Those Who Do Not Pray Condemned?
Question 51
What about those who do not know to pray for themselves? Are they lost?
There are gifts that God gives even to those who do not pray, such as the birth of faith. And there are gifts that God gives only to those who pray, such as final perseverance.
from St. Augustine Answers 101 Questions on Prayer by Fr. Ermatinger
Man is a religious being, homo religiosus, created as imago Dei. He has the Law written upon his heart (cfr. Rom 2:15) easily identified throughout the varied cultures of man […]
St. Augustine, Doesn’t God Already Know What We Need?
Question 50
Is prayer of petition necessary if before we ask of him, he knows what we need?
It is not that he discovers what our wishes are, for it cannot be unknown to him – but through our prayers, the petitions made in us bring about the proper dispositions of desire with which we ought to receive whatever he grants us… Even when he gives slowly, it is to show […]
St. Augustine, What is the Prayer of Petition?
Question 49
What is prayer of petition?
Prayer of petition is born of the awareness of our need. God has every intention of giving, but only to him who asks, so as not to give something to one who would refuse to take it.
from St. Augustine Answers 101 Questions on Prayer by Fr. Ermatinger
For a moment, let the image of the door in scripture be pondered. From Revelation 3:20, there is the image of Jesus knocking upon a door of the individual’s house. From Luke 11:9-10 the image is of the individual knocking upon the door of the Lord’s house. In as much as the action of knocking is […]