Batman's Column

My Deer Parishionerz o St. Padre Pio Parish,

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo! As a doggo, I iz hungry ALL o da time! What time iz it?!? It's FEED ME O'CLOCK!!! Dere iz never a time dat I iz not looking 4 a snacko and I iz NOT ashamed 2 beg! I will ask/beg/plead/demand/whine 4 someting 2 eat whenever dere iz an opportunity 2 do so. While eating IZ pretty important 4 doggoz, dere r better tingz 2 ask 4, lik a walk or a perfectly timed scratch or even just spending time wit da hoomanz dat I luvz (like my daddo)! In da 1st reading 2day, the Lord appearz 2 Solomon in a dream and sayz, "Ask something of me and I will give it to you." Solomon could have asked 4 anyting (like a long life, riches, or even victory over his enemies [dey were probably birdoz])! But instead Solomon asked God 4 wisdom and understanding.  Wisdom iz considered da first and greatest gift o da Holy Spirit because it directz our minds 2 God. In Matthew's Gospel, Jesus tellz parables about how da kingdom of heaven is better-er dan a buried treasure o a pearl o great price! As poor sinnerz, we often look 4 worldly riches or worldly success. Dat doesn't get us very far and can end up doing more harm dan good. It iz only when we seek God and strive 4 da kingdom o heaven dat we gain access 2 riches dat do not fade and will last 4 all eternity. If da Lord appeared 2 us and asked us, "Ask something of me and I will give it to you", wut would our response be? Would it be 4 a long life? Worldly riches or some sort o pleasurable experience? O would be ask 4 da only ting dat would truly satisfy our heartz - divine wisdom and access 2 da kingdom o heaven? Instead o tingz dat don't matter much, let us ask God 4 da grace 2 keep our eyez on da prize!

God Bless (and I would still ask 4 a snacko! I iz a doggo after all)!

Batman, da rectory doggo