Hard Bread

"In order to attract us, the Lord grants us many graces that we believe can easily obtain Heaven for us. We do not know, however, that in order to grow, we need hard bread: the cross, humiliation, trials and denials." Padre Pio

 

Jesus said that unless we deny ourselves, take up our cross, despise all possessions, we can not be His disciples. This journey is a narrow road, not a wide road. It is a road of sacrifice, digging, trust, and child like hearts. Our Lord is serious about our sanctification, without it, we cannot look upon Him. Our journey's goal is to see Him. When we see Him, we shall be like Him. Imagine it! St. Paul counted all things loss to knowing Jesus, ALL THINGS! Isn't that what Jesus said must happen to each of us?  The Virgin Mary, St. Peter, St John, St. Paul, St. Francis, St. Pio, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Therese of Lisieux,  etc...what do we know about all of these people? We know that their lives meant nothing to them, they lived for their Beloved. Oh Lord, do not let us settle for anything less, no matter how hard the bread. Mercy Lord!

 

wkm

St. Pio