Friday, January 31, 2025

Memorial of Saint John Bosco, priest

(Hebrews 10:32-39; Mark 426-34)

Today’s reading from Hebrews speaks of youthful enthusiasm about one’s faith, followed by doubts and thoughts of abandonment.  The author pleas with the people to resist such temptations.  He names for them the sacrifices already made and assures them that withdrawal will mean the loss of great return on their investment.

We can see in the life of St. John Bosco an example of what the Letter to the Hebrews teaches.  After his ordination to the priesthood, the saint was introduced to the wealthy patrons and given a position as chaplain of a hospice for working girls.  However, Bosco did not abandon his desire to serve Christ by helping destitute boys.  He resigned from the chaplaincy and established a hospice and technical school for boys.  He also organized a congregation of priests to work with him in providing such services.  After his death, forty thousand people participated in his funeral.

We too might feel tremors of faith at times and wonder if it is worth the effort to live the gospel.  When these temptations arise, let us remember the plea of the Letter to the Hebrews and the lives of saints like John Bosco. 

Thursday, January 31, 2019

Memorial of Saint John Bosco, priest

(Hebrews 10:19-25; Mark 4:21-25)

The word scandal comes from the Latin scandalum which means stumbling block or trap.  Those who give scandal cause other people to fall into error.  They entice others to behave badly.  Beyond the hurt it has caused, scandal makes the sexual abuse perpetrated by priests especially opprobrious.  Priests not only victimized defenseless children.  As preachers of Jesus Christ, they have caused many people to disregard the graces he bestowed.

Today’s gospel gives a hint of Jesus’ importance.  He is the lamp that is to make everything visible.  By the light of Jesus human beings are to judge the good or evil of everything.  Those who use this light appropriately will gain wisdom beyond their mental capacities.  Those who reject it will lose the benefit of their natural wisdom.

Today’s celebrated saint, John Bosco, appropriated well the light of Jesus.  He urged his religious congregation to follow Christ in treating the boys in their charge.  He said that they are to show the same patience to the boys as Jesus showed to his disciples.  As Jesus put up with his disciples’ ignorance and roughness, so should Salesians bear with the orphans.  There is wisdom for all of us here.  Like Jesus, we should correct others gently when it is necessary.  We want to give the example of Jesus’ gentleness and kindness to poor sinners.

Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Memorial of Saint John Bosco, priest

(Hebrews 12:1-4; Mark 5:21-43)

Are the “Hebrews” of today’s first reading undergoing persecution?  Or are they just tired from waiting for Christ’s coming?  The text speaks of a “struggle against sin,” but it does not specify what kind of sin.  Perhaps it is referring to the Roman Empire’s banning Christianity which pressured some to give up the faith.  It is  also possible that some Hebrew Christians were still expecting an imminent return while others were beginning to believe the whole idea preposterous.

In any case the reading reminds the people that great men and women of the past.  This “cloud of witnesses” endured more persecution and had to wait longer that they have had.  These are the saints of the Old Testament: Noah, Abraham, and Moses.  They kept the faith, and in the end were rewarded beyond their dreams.

We too enjoy a “cloud of witnesses” to assure us that our faith is not in vain.  Most of us have vibrant memory of Saints Mother Theresa and John Paul II.  We also can take note of St. John Bosco whose feast we celebrate today.  He was, Americans might say, the Fr. Flanagan original.  He believed that there is no such thing as a bad child.  He urged his followers to show patience and love for children.  He should encourage especially parents and teachers to endure the trials which children often bring.