02/18/2005 Padre Pio: Learning to Freely Choose Christ ISBN O9764809-0-5 Saints Alive Series Immaculata Publishing 2005©

Summa Contra Gentiles Bk 3b Ch 95 & 96 p 40

Topic: What is the purpose of holy desire in relation to Divine Providence?

Topic: Did Padre Pio Summa Contra Gentiles Bk I ch 68 p 146 Topic: Spiritual Creatures: Padre Pio: Freely Choosing Christ

Divine Providence and the Usefulness of Prayer

SEE Bookmark The Subject Choosing the First Truth

ppio.letters.1.359.sgr.11.sept.1916 [ sgr San Giovanni Rotondo ]

[let.I.359.par1.s1(.a)]"No slightest comfort (b) penetrates my soul.[let.I.359.par1.s2.a] I have become quite blind; (b) the only thing I see clearly, (c) if it can be called seeing, (d) is my nothingness, on the one hand, (e) and God's goodness (f) and greatness on the other.[let.I.359.par1.s3.a] I see God within me and (b) far from satisfying my longing, (c) this increases my desire." Taken form the Summa Contra Gentiles of St. Thomas Aquinas

THAT THE UNCHANGEABLENESS OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE DOES NOT EXCLUDE THE USEFULNESS OF PRAYER

We must also observe that as the unchangeableness of providence does not impose necessity on things foreseen, so neither does it exclude the usefulness of prayer. For we do not pray that the external disposition of His providence may be changed, since this is impossible, but that He may grant what we desire. For it is fitting that God should assent to the pious yearnings of the rational creature, not that our desires have the effect of changing a God who is unchangeable, but as an effect befitting His goodness in granting our desires. Because since all things naturally desire the good, as we have proved,[integral]3 and since it belongs to the supereminent divine goodness to bestow being and well-being on all things in a certain order, it follows that He fulfils, according to His goodness, the pious desires of which our prayers are the expression.

Here, Aquinas gives a very real understanding of our holy desires in relationship to God's Divien Goodness in His Providential care for each of us. St. Pio understood the relationship of Providence and used all the measn whcih God provided for him. At the same time, St. Pio understood more than anyone regarding the graces that he received that in view of the Divien Goodness he was but a weak creature and powerless. The more he saw God within himself the more he longed for the complete union with Him, which he now enjoys in heaven and prays for all his spiritual children to join him.

When the subject views itself in the hands of God it experiences that unique gift of fear of the Lord which is known to those who have faith; they understand their weaknesses as also a gift to be transformed into his strength; their judge that they have no recourse but to accept ALL form his Almight hand; lastly, they take responsibility for who they are as God reveals both their weakness without God and the strength that comes from being united to Jesus in grace thru the workings of the theological virtues. This continual transcendence to the Divine is what Jesus meant when he said, 'if I am lifted up I will draw all things to myself.' This is the spirit at the heart of the communion of the saints, both in heaven and on earth.

Our sharing in the Eucharist daily, our union with the Mother of God, the Theotokos, and our constantly remembering in our hearts that 'pour hearts are restless until they rest in you,' keeps the faithful soul humble and totally dependent upon Our Fathe rwho provides all for each even before a word is on our tongue.

IP CRL