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
For Easter Sunday
Christ Appearing to His Mother, Juan de Flandes, 1500-1504
For Holy Saturday
Le Christ aux limbes, Unknown
St. Augustine, Is There Anything We Can Do On Our Own?
Question 024.
Do we really have to pray for God’s grace? Can’t we make it on our own?
Give to me what you command of me, and demand of me whatever you want… When the Lord tells us “convert to me and I will convert to you”, what else is he saying than: ‘do what I command you’? And when we say to the Lord: ‘turn to us, Lord, and we will turn to you,’ what else are we saying than: ‘give us what we need to accomplish what you command’? (for) the law was therefore given, in order that grace might be sought [through prayer]
St. Augustine, What is the Synergism between Prayer and Grace?
Question 023.
What is more important, prayer or grace?
God has desired that in spiritual combat we might fight with prayers than with our own strength… God does not command the impossible, but when he commands, he orders you to do what you can and to ask for what you cannot do on your own in order that he help you to do what you cannot accomplish on your own… Join yourself to the eternity of God, and together with him wait for those things which are beneath you. Because when your heart cleaves to God, all mortal things are beneath you. God gives help so that the command becomes possible… He […]
Palm Sunday — Homily by Fr. Ermatinger
Audio
Christ Enters Jerusalem, Coptic Icon, Modern
Transcription of Homily
All of Matthew’s Gospel, up until this point of the entry, on a donkey, into Jerusalem, has been something of a didactic preparation/explanation of the Kingdom of Christ. And from Chapter 21, through the rest, all of this Gospel takes place in Jerusalem. And now it transforms itself; it becomes a sacramental presentation of the Kingdom of Christ. And so there’s this transformation that happens when Christ enters Jerusalem on a donkey.
And how does this happen? He sends two of His Apostles to go collect the donkey and a colt, and He tells them where they’re going to […]