I often hear today’s Gospel reading every time I pray the novena to Padre Pio. This is part of the “Efficacious Novena to the Sacred Heart” and since the Padre had a devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, this prayer has always been a part of the novena in his honor.

The pandemic has been instrumental in making people more prayerful and closer to God. I often receive messages from people I know asking me to pray for them. Once, I received a message from a friend requesting for prayers because he and his mother got Covid-19 and were not feeling well. I could then imagine his anguish and fear. As soon as I read his message, I immediately responded and assured him that I would include him and his family in my prayers.

When people ask me to pray for them or when I become aware that someone needs prayers, particularly for healing, I often seek Padre Pio’s intercession by praying the novena. In this case, I just finished the novena the day before, so, I decided to start another one for the intentions of my friend. On the 2nd day of the novena, my friend sent me a message that they were already feeling better and that barangay health workers checked on them, and they received negative results in their swab tests.

God is indeed true to His promises – that if someone goes to Him to seek, knock, and ask for help, He could not refuse. The Gospel is a reminder to all of us of the faithfulness of God and that He never fails those who trust in Him.

As we continue our observance of Lent, let us prepare ourselves for the great day of celebrating, the resurrection of Christ, by growing deeper with our hope in Him. As my dear saint, Padre Pio, trusted in the promises of Christ: I never tire of seeking, knocking, asking, and believing in Jesus.

By: Sem. Eric Yabut

Today’s Gospel

Mt 7:7-12

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Ask and it will be given to you;
seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds;
and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Which one of you would hand his son a stone
when he asked for a loaf of bread,
or a snake when he asked for a fish?
If you then, who are wicked,
know how to give good gifts to your children,
how much more will your heavenly Father give good things
to those who ask him.

“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.
This is the law and the prophets.”