Memorial of Saint Pius of Pietrelcina, Priest
“He said to them, ‘Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic.’”
We read this like an instruction, an injunction on the Twelve to do something difficult, contrary to their desires, in order to show their devotion to the mission of Christ. I prefer to read it as permission, though, to do what they really want to do but what human wisdom would call imprudent or foolish. Isn’t it true, after all, that real experiences of value—the ones you never forget—make seem cheap all the trappings of our earthly lives? What good mother is thinking about clothing when she holds her newborn child? What good priest ponders his living situation when his hands are being anointed with Chrism? Which of the Twelve do you think was going to care about his second tunic after he witnessed God heal the sick and cast out demons through his hands? Jesus is giving them the freedom and invitation to care about the things that are truly important and set aside once and for all the distractions from grace. Jesus did so himself: “The Son of Man has no place to rest his head. . . . My food is to do the will of him who sent me.”
The life of Padre Pio gives us the same permission. Here is a man who did leave behind a second tunic and did not concern himself with the arrival of his next meal. Other things were just more important. Hearing confessions, celebrating Mass, imitating the poor Christ: these were the things he lived on. Let’s finally do the same and commit to honoring the grace we see every day by setting aside those things that, in the end, matter far less.