Today we can have a look at what is spiritual warfare?
Let's have a look at a story from the life of Padre Pio to help us understand this.
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And here we have a series of short stories on the life of our great Saint Padre Pio.
He was a Capuchin friar.
He was a mystic.
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Now, today we having a look at that question, spiritual warfare, what is it?
So, obviously if we believe in God, there's God and his angels on the one side and then
Satan and his demons on the other side.
And there's this fight going on, this clash going on.
How exactly did it relate to Padre Pio?
So, now we're going to have a look at a story from the early life of Padre Pio.
It also seems to indicate his calling in life.
And this was shortly before he joined the Capuchin order.
And you can find this story in Father Amorth's book.
Indeed, he was the chief exorcist in the Vatican, and he was well acquainted with Padre Pio.
And he wrote a book about his good friend Padre Pio called, Padre Pio Stories and Memories
of My Mentor and Friend.
Now naturally, when father Amorth writes, his focus is on the spiritual warfare aspect
of Padre Pio's life.
The author of the article tells us that the key fortifications in this in spiritual warfare
are the virtues of humility and obedience.
Two important things.
Father Amorth tells us shortly before he joined the capuchins that was 1903, two things happened
in the life of Francesco.
He later became Padre Pio.
Who's 15 at the time, and they are considered very important.
Frequently, they were discussed with Padre Pio and his spiritual directors.
And they played a significant role in the life of Padre Pio.
This was the vision that he had.
Padre Pio saw a radiant, handsome man who was beckoning to him, "To come with me because
you are going to fight."
He said, as a Valent warrior.
So, he's giving Padre Pio his life's calling.
And so together, they went to this huge field, and he said on one side of the field, there
were handsome men, dressed in white with white garments.
On the other side, they were hideous men, and they were dressed in black, that made
them look like some sort of dark shadows.
And then Francesco, suddenly found him facing a huge, horrible man.
He said he was so tall that his head was in the clouds.
But the radiant figure urged him on, urged the youngster on to go and fight this giant.
And so, shaking.
Francesco now pleaded with him to spare me this contest.
But the radiant man responded.
It is useless for you to resist.
You have to go and scuffle and fight with him, but he added, "Take heart into the combat
with trust, and fight courageously.
I will be close by you."
He said, "Helping you.
And I will not let him beat you."
And so, let us now observe the unseen helpers in this whole battle.
It's epic contest.
These were the angels, and we too have angels by our side.
So, he tells us, he continues.
The clash was terrible, but thanks to the help of that radiant figure.
The giant was defeated, and he was forced now to retreat.
And he was followed by the multitude of repulsive men.
Ran off hurling shrieks, and curses, and deafening cries.
But on the other hand, the other multitude broke into shouts of rejoicing and praised
for the radiant figure, who had helped Francesco in this fight.
At this point, the figure now placed a crown of indescribable beauty on the head of Francesco.
But then he removed the crown and he said, "I am sitting aside for you an even more beautiful
crown.
If you are able to fight against this giant.
He will keep attacking you but be fearless and fight him.
I will always be near, so that you may always succeed in knocking him down."
So, what we see from this?
Father Gabriel Amorth indicating many things.
Our Lord is requiring Padre Pio to fight on his behalf against the giant who is obviously
Satan.
And Satan is certainly huge and powerful.
And his head reaches into the clouds.
It makes Padre Pio tremble.
The adversary is a horrible man.
He appears intent on fighting.
He's not interested in a peaceful coexistence.
And the handsome men dressed in white.
They are obviously the angels and the good people on our Lord Jesus Christ side.
But on the other side is the hideous people, hideous men dressed in black, like dark shadows.
And the allies, the fallen angels and the allies amongst mankind.
And when good has a victory, these fallen people, the fallen angels, they let our shrieks
and hatred for the victory.
This whole incident doesn't tell us exactly how Padre Pio fought, but it certainly is
symbolic of Padre Pio's future.
And it appears that in this world, in this life, there are certain chosen souls like
Padre Pio.
That chosen to help God in the fight, to overcome the demonic realm, to push that realm back.
Coming up on the channel, we'll have another video, on the life and times of Padre Pio.
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