In an earlier post, I mentioned the late Mr. William Carrigan, a major donor to Mount de Sales Academy during a critical time in the school's survival in the 1980s. Mr. Carrigan happened to be a close associate of St. Padre Pio during World War II, as Mr. Carrigan's service as a Red Cross Field Agent found him in Italy at San Giovanni Rotundo at that time.
As he neared the end of his stay and was preparing to return to the United States, Mr. Carrigan again one day was enjoying lunch with the saint.
"Padre Pio," he asked. "What do you want me to say? What should I tell the people of America?"
Padre Pio was silent and thoughtful. Then, he reached across the table and gently pushed some bread and a small glass of wine toward Mr. Carrigan.
"With these," Padre Pio said, "you will never want."
These. Bread and wine. The Eucharist. ....Him.
"Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." (Deuteronomy 8:3, Mattew 4:4)
Bread. But, not by bread alone. By every word. The Word. ....Him.
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1)
God. The Word. The Word was God. ....Him.
"With these, you will never want."
Him. The Eucharist. Bread and wine. Him. The Word. God.
"With these, you will never want."
That hardened piece of bread and the small thick drinking glass still remain on display in a glass case at Mount de Sales Academy, a humble, silent, yet eloquent reminder from a saint for all those who frequent that Catholic school, that the Eucharist is the source and summit of our Faith.
The Eucharist. ....Him.
Really, what else is there? Who else is there?
We are put on this earth to know, love, and serve God in this world and to be happy with Him forever in heaven.
To know Him.
To love Him.
To serve Him.
To be happy with Him.
Him.
Him. HIM. HIM! Almighty God. Yahweh. Abba. Father. Emmanuel. Wonderful Counselor. Jesus. Lord of Light. Prince of Peace. The Christ. Holy One.
One. The One. Him.
"The Lord our God, the Lord is One." (Deuteronomy 6:4)
One. Him. Jesus.
With Him, you will never want.
Go find Him! Seek Him! And see Him in those around you. Because with Him, you will never want.
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