In his novel, Fragments, Ayikwei Armah writes: “Fruit is not a gathered gift of the instant but seed hidden in the earth and tended and waited for and allowed to grow”. The “good soil” on which some seeds fell is what Jesus describes as those with “an honest and good heart”. They bring forth fruits with patience because there would be many trials and temptations as the seeds try to sprout and grow up to the stage of fruitfulness. There has to be a weathering of the storm. Doggedness on the part of the tree becomes a necessary requirement. All the while, we wait for what was once a seed to germinate and become a tree and bear fruit. It requires patience. St Pius of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio) was a man of such patience. The pains he endured as a result of the stigmata and misunderstandings he had to face even from the Church authorities were indescribable. Despite all these oppositions, he weathered the storm. He was dogged in his faith and pursuit of holiness. With a good heart he bore fruits in abundance.

PRAYER: Dear Saint Pius of Pietrelcina, obtain for me the grace of patience and perseverance in moments of trials and difficulties. Amen