After a long time away – occupied with other aspects of our monastic life – we are returning to our almost daily communal reflectios on the Gospel of the day. Today’s Gospel was ‘the unprofitable servant.’ Since we had just viewed the movie on Padre Pio, it was easy to relate his life’s story with this Gospel message. Two figures especially stood out: Padre Pio himself and the local Bishop who opposed him every step of the way.

Padre Pio’s life was extraordinary in its gifts: bi-locations, healings, reading of consciences, his bearing of the stigmata of Christ. Yet none of it was given for himself. All of it was for God’s People. Padre Pio was merely God’s servant; he understood that and generously gave himself in God’s service. At the end of his life he said of himself, ‘I am only a poor friar.’

The other important figure was the Bishop – the one who opposed Padre Pio, a constant burr under the saddle as it were. He too was God’s servant, only doing what he was told to do, only doing his job.

The reconciliation of the two – Padre Pio and his Bishop – was most touching at the end. They both recognized the role each had to play in God’s plan, both were doing God’s work. Each, because of the other, was sanctified.

And so it is with us. Each of us as well has a part in God’s plan. We each have a purpose, and in the end it will be made known to us.