Reflection for MONDAY, 4th Week, Ordinary Time.

By

 

Fr. Aloysius Santiago sdb
Rector and Parish Priest
Don Bosco Shrine
Lingarajapuram, Bangalore

 Today's Gospel Verses 

Mark 5:18-20   

As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him.  Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed. 


Today's Reflection 

Just as every thing that happens has a reason, every action also has a reason.

And the person behind the action has a reason for doing so.

The reason or reasons as to why a person does a particular action may or may not be obvious.

In the 1st reading, the reason why Absalom plotted against his father David could be that he was ambitious and wanted to be king.

The reason why Shimei cursed David could be that since he was of the clan of Saul's family, he wanted to show his disgust against David.

And why David did not retaliate could be because he knew he had done wrong and he rather submit to the Lord humbly than to take things into his own hands.

In the gospel, the reason why the man had an unclean spirit in him was unknown and he was causing a terrifying disturbance.

We too have reasons for doing what we did or intend to do.

Let us place our reasons and intentions before the Lord in prayer and ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit to help us discern.

Then whatever we do, it will be for the glory of God and for the good of others.

GOD BLESS YOU 


 Today's Saint

Saint John Bosco, Priest

1815–1888

January 31—Memorial 


Patron Saint of editors, publishers, schoolchildren and juvenile delinquents


His person radiated the warm love of God, drawing everyone towards him


Some saints attract the faithful by the raw power of their minds and the sheer force of their arguments. Think of St. Thomas Aquinas or St. Augustine. Other saints write so eloquently, with such grace and sweetness, that their words draw people to God like bees to honey. Think of Blessed John Henry Newman or St. Francis de Sales. Still other saints say and write almost nothing, but lead lives of such generous and sacrificial witness that their holiness is obvious. Think of St. Francis of Assisi or St. Teresa of Calcutta. Today’s saint was not a first class thinker, eloquent writer, bloody martyr, or path breaking Church reformer. But he had abundant gifts of equal value.


St. John Bosco was, to put it in the simplest terms, a winner. His heart was like a furnace radiating immense warmth, fraternal concern, and affectionate love of God to every person in the room. His personality seemed to operate like a powerful magnet that pulled everyone closer and closer in toward his overflowing, priestly, and fatherly love. His country boy simplicity, street smarts, genuine concern for the poor, and love of God, Mary and the Church made him irresistible. Don Bosco (‘Don’ being a title of honor for priests, teachers, etc…) had charm. What he asked for, he received. From everyone. He built, during his own lifetime, an international empire of charity and education so massive and so successful that it is impossible to explain his accomplishments in merely human terms.


Like many great saints, Don Bosco’s external, observable, charisms were not the whole story. Behind his engaging personality was a will like a rod of iron. He exercised strict self discipline and firmness of purpose in driving toward his goals. His gift of self, or self dedication, was remarkable. Morning, noon, and night. Weekday or weekend. Rain or shine. He was always there. Unhurried. Available. Ready to talk. His life was one big generous act from beginning to end.


St. John grew up dirt poor in the country working as a shepherd. His father died when he was an infant. After studies and priestly ordination we went to the big city, Turin, and saw first hand how the urban poor lived. It changed his life. He began a ministry to poor boys which was not particularly innovative. He said Mass, heard confessions, taught the gospel, went on walks, cooked meals, and taught practical skills like book binding. There was no secret to Don Bosco’s success. But no one else was doing it, and no one else did it so well. Followers flocked to assist him and he founded the Salesians, a Congregation named after his own hero, St. Francis de Sales. The Salesian empire of charity and education spread around the globe. By the time of its founder’s death in 1888 the Salesians had 250 houses the world over caring for 130,000 children. Their work continues today.


Don Bosco was not concerned with the remote causes of poverty. He did not challenge class structures or economic systems. He saw what was in front of him and went “straight to the poor,” as he put it. He did his work from the inside out. It was for others to figure out long term solutions, but not for him.


Don Bosco did not know what rest was and wore himself out by being all things to all men. His reputation for holiness endured well beyond his death. A young priest who had met him in northern Italy in 1883, Fr. Achille Ratti, later became Pope Pius XI and, on Easter Sunday 1934, canonized the great priest he had known so many years before.


St. John Bosco, you dedicated your life to the education and care of poor youth. Aid us in reaching out to those who need our assistance today, not tomorrow, and here, not somewhere else. Through your intercession may we carry out a fraction of the good that you achieved in your life.

Today 31st January we Salesian Family remember in a very special way our Father and Founder DON BOSCO

On this feast day we pray that through the intercession of Don Bosco we may continue to work in God's vineyard and attain Holiness.


HAPPY FEAST of DON BOSCO

Good morning. Have a nice safe day.