The school bus stopped in front of the place. From above, you could see the number of the bus by the door and on the roof. The numbers were "923". These numbers probably meant nothing to most people, except to be used as a means to identify one bus from another. 

But to devotees of St. Padre Pio, these numbers represent the Feast Day of a Beloved Saint: September 23, i.e. "923". 

Perhaps there was a connection between these numbers and this bus. 

Perhaps the bus carried people needing the protection of St. Padre Pio. 

Perhaps the aura of St. Padre Pio was present throughout the bus. 

Perhaps it was just the awareness of a keen eye who stopped and noticed the significance of the numbers on the bus. 

St. Padre Pio, forever present among us, pray for us. 

TAGS: Reflection, Story

"I know every bird in the heights; whatever moves in the wild is mine." - Psalm 50:11 

There were short-term renters at the bird house. The mother sparrow settled in to this quiet place in order to hatch and raise her two young ones. On Sunday there was plenty of steady chirping and by Thursday they had moved on. 

But for those four days, Mama was quite busy. Constantly coming and going, bringing food to the house and feeding her flock. "Mama, feed me!" Every time she arrived, the hatchlings sensed her presence, and the chirping increased in velocity and pitch. "Mama, feed me!" they joyously exclaimed upon every arrival. With mouths gaping, she fed them; coming and going, coming and going, she fed them. She often had to put her head into the house to ensure that the second child (a shy one) would receive food as well. "Mama, feed me!" 

Each day the small ones grew bigger and bigger. Once just little beaks peaking out of the house, by the third day they were practically pushing themselves out of the door. "Mama, feed me!" was repeated hour after hour, day after day. 

What about you? Are you growing spiritually? Are you approaching Mother Mary asking her to feed you with a wellspring of faith? The time for growth is short, but Mother Mary's attention toward you is non-stop. 

"Mama, feed me!"

TAGS: Inspiration, Story