Homily on the Occasion of the Visit in Davao of the Relic of St. Padre Pio’s Incorrupt Heart

(Editor’s note: This is the Homily of the Most. Rev. George B. Rimando, D.D., Auxiliary Bishop of Davao on the Occasion of the Visit of the Incorrupt Heart of St. Padre Pio in Davao. The opening Mass was held in Ateneo de Davao University, Matina, Davao City on October 14, 2018.)

Today we are celebrating the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time. It is a great blessing that here in the Archdiocese of Davao, together with other Dioceses in Mindanao, we are hosting the visit of the incorrupt heart of St. Padre Pio. Actually, the visit of the relic in the Philippines is part of the national celebration of the culmination of the Year of the Clergy and Consecrated Persons.

In the light of the gospel reading, I would like to share some reflections on the life, calling, and mission of St. Padre Pio. Let me start with the gospel narrative.

There is a saying that runs this way, “The more one possesses, the more he is possessed.” This saying seems to apply to the young man in the gospel reading this Sunday. He seems sincere in attaining eternal life. Jesus told him to follow the commandments. The young man replied that he has been obeying it in his youth. But he sounded unsatisfied with Jesus’ response. He wanted to make sure he is guaranteed to enter the kingdom of God. Jesus looked at him with love and asked him to sell what he has and give it to the poor and he will have treasure in heaven. Then Jesus invited the young man to follow Him. Take note of the reaction of the young man. His face fell sad for he has many possessions. His attachment to his riches prevents him from truly attaining eternal life. His heart is possessed by his wealth.

What can we learn from the encounter between Jesus and the young rich man?. In a secularist world of materialism, consumerism and pleasure seeking. GREED is such a powerful motivator in life. Spiritually, It can surely block anybody from truly attaining eternal life. It’s like one of the tentacles of the octopus head of secularism.

Perhaps we might think that the gospel reading applies only to rich people who are so attached to their wealth. As Jesus said, “It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God” (Mk 10:25 ). Fortunately, we know of some rich people who are not attached to their wealth per se. Many of them are willing to share their possessions with the less fortunate ones. On the other hand, there are many materially poor who are craving to be rich. Are they not challenged by the words of Jesus? Is not the message also addressed to the rest of us? I suppose it is! How many poor Filipinos who passionately wanted to win the jackpot lotto prize of 1 billion pesos? In the past days, I saw long lines of people betting for their favorite numbers. Maybe in the deep recesses of many hearts, there is that lurking desire to possess so much money! If not purified, greed can corrupt our hearts.

Indeed most of us, if not all, are possibly vulnerable to many forms of attachments, not necessarily only to money and material things. What could possibly prevent us from truly following Jesus is attachment to prestige, power, control over people and other inordinate attachments. Pope Francis warns us – clergy, religious and lay – of the dangers of worldliness.

Right this morning, we just welcome the incorrupt heart of St. Padre Pio. His heart could serve as an antidote to hearts that are attached to worldly things. Perhaps we can ask why after 50 years since his death, St. Padre Pio’s heart is still incorrupt. If one looks at his life’s story, his calling and mission as a religious capuchin friar, he/she will notice that St. Padre Pio’s heart is possessed by a Christ-like love. Yes, his love for neighbor – starting with his brother priests, his ministry to the sick, to the poor and to sinners – were all done out of love for Jesus.

In the Year of the Clergy and Consecrated Persons, St. Padre Pio’s life, calling and mission is indeed a great inspiration. Reading his biography, his ministry to caring for the less fortunate, especially the sick, the poor and also his ministry of hearing confessions for hours and hours in the confessional, I can’t help but being touched by his zeal. He saw Jesus in his brother priests and in those who are suffering, Jesus in the sick, and the poor. Indeed he is one of the great saints in our contemporary times. St. Padre Pio’s Home for the Relief of Suffering is a home of concrete loving. He said that administering medicine with love is most effective!

For us clergy and consecrated persons, we try to serve Christ in our sick brothers and sisters who need our care and understanding. What about our ministry to the poor like the street children in our respective parishes and apostolate areas? In the Archdiocese of Davao, we have the Archdiocesan Nutrition Center which caters to poor and malnourished children. The Center feeds them three times a day with corresponding formation, hoping they will feel Jesus’ love for them. Furthermore, of the many emerging concerns, there are some Dioceses who are engaged in helping former drug addicts. Here in Davao, the Archdiocesan social action ministry is helping persons who were once in illegal drugs but now are willing to be reformed through our community-based recovery program. With the intercession of St. padre Pio, may they not revert to their former way of life.

This morning, I said mass in Davao City Maa jail. Many of them are incarcerated due to drug-related offenses. I mentioned about the arrival of the relic of St. Padre Pio’s heart and explained to them about it. How they wish they could attend the gathering but obviously they could not. I promised that I will give them a statue of St. Padre Pio which I will wipe on the encased relic. I am hoping that a glimpse of St. Padre Pio’s life will inspire and give them a sense of conversion and hope!

What about the Lumads? Today is Indigenous People’s Sunday, many Dioceses in Mindanao are doing their best to address the IP’s basic concerns. In the 16th Mindanao Sulu Pastoral Conference last October 2017, the Metropolitan Province of Davao, Digos, Tagum, and Mati decided to mainstream IP ministry into the life and mission of the parishes.

Moreover, here in Davao the City Mayor has formed an advisory body, Davao City Peace 911, to address the illusive dream of lasting peace. It attempts to create an environment for peace, specifically to help inhabitants in Paquibato District live without fear. Archbishop Romulo G. Valles is one of the five-member committee to help come up with a holistic approach to peace building. Again, through the intercession of St. padre Pio, may the goal of peace be achieved.

In these coming days, I am sure most of us if not all, will take time to venerate the incorrupt heart of St. Padre Pio. In fact, I heard that in Manila and in Cebu thousands of devotees wanted to touch the relic of St. Padre Pio’s heart. So with us here. Just days ago, a family convert to Catholicism from Singapore requested me to wipe for them some religious images on the relic of the incorrupt heart of St. Padre Pio. What a gesture of faith! We, too, want to be “infected or contaminated” by the saintly life of St. Padre Pio. Maybe it is good to check if our devotion to St. Padre Pio is just for ourselves? Or are we doing it because like St. Padre Pio we can be channels and conduits of Jesus’ love for the poor? To become saints like St. Padre Pio is a lifetime calling. As Pope Francis said, quoting Leon Bloy, “The only great tragedy in life is not to become a saint.” (Gaudete et Exultate # 34)

May our devotion and veneration of the incorrupt heart of St. Padre Pio lead us closer to Jesus., And hopefully, like St. Padre Pio who totally attached his heart to Jesus, we, too, may follow his great example of life – giving love for others.. In doing so, may our lives and ministry be rewarded with eternal life by the merciful and loving God!

St. Pio, pray for us!

(Bp. George B. Rimando, D.D.)