31 Jan – Memorial for St. John Bosco, priest
St. John Bosco (1815-1888) was the son of Venerable Margaret Bosco. His father died when he was just two years old, and as soon as he was old enough to do odd jobs, he did so for extra money for his family. Bosco would go to circuses, fairs, and carnivals, practise the tricks he saw the magicians perform, and then present one-boy shows. After his performance, while he still had an audience of boys, he would repeat the homily he had heard earlier in church.
He worked as a tailor, baker, shoemaker, and carpenter while attending college and the seminary. He was ordained in 1841. He was a teacher, and he worked with youth, finding places where they could meet, play and pray. He taught catechism to orphans and apprentices, and was chaplain in a hospice for girls.
He wrote short treatises aimed at explaining the faith to children, and then taught children how to print them. He was a friend of St. Joseph Cafasson, whose biography he wrote. He was confessor to Blessed Joseph Allamano. He founded the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) in 1859, a community of priests who work with and educate boys, under the protection of Our Lady, Help of Christians, and St. Francis de Sales. He founded the Daughters of Mary, Help of Christians, in 1872, and the Union of Cooperator Salesians in 1875.
- Patron Saint Index
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2 Samuel 7:18-19, 24-29
After Nathan had spoken to David, the King went in and, seated before the Lord, said:
‘Who am I, Lord, and what is my House, that you have led me as far as this? Yet in your sight, Lord, this is still not far enough, and you make your promises extend to the House of your servant for a far-distant future. You have constituted your people Israel to be your own people for ever; and you, Lord, have become their God. Now, Lord, always keep the promise you have made your servant and his House, and do as you have said. Your name will be exalted for ever and men will say, “The Lord of hosts is God over Israel.” The House of your servant David will be made secure in your presence, since you yourself, Lord of hosts, God of Israel, have made this revelation to your servant, “I will build you a House;” hence you are God indeed, your words are true and you have made this fair promise to your servant. Be pleased, then, to bless the House of your servant, that it may continue for ever in your presence; for you, Lord, have spoken; and with your blessing the House of your servant will be for ever blessed.’
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Mark 4:21-25
Jesus said to the crowd: ‘Would you bring in a lamp to put it under the tub or under the bed? Surely you will put it on the lamp-stand? For there is nothing hidden but it must be disclosed, nothing kept secret except to be brought to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen to this.’
He also said to them, ‘Take notice of what you are hearing. The amount you measure out is the amount you will be given – and more besides; for the man who has will be given more; from the man who has not, even what he has will be taken away.’
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In an interview I had years ago, one of the panel asked me how I would explain the concept of division to someone in Primary 1. Being the biology geek that I was (and still am), I said I would tell use cell division as an example; how a cell grows bigger and it divides so one cell becomes two. They never commented on my answer beyond the cursory “thank you” but I doubt they were too impressed. I wouldn’t be. That was a lousy way of explaining a concept. To use a more advanced topic like cells to teach a basic subject like division complicates matters beyond necessity. Better it would have been to have used a simple everyday analogy like sharing a $2 equally between two people.
Communication and spreading and sharing of knowledge requires unambiguity. God is clearly aware of this. We read in the Bible that when God speaks, He never confounds those that listen. Yesterday’s first reading had Nathan conveying the message that God had for David with regards to the temple the king wanted to build for the Lord. The words of God through the prophet were clear. Through analogies and events that David could relate to, God told him that He had a bigger plan in mind. David’s response today shows that he understood the message. He acknowledged his position and blessed God for the blessing that was given him.
Christ tells us that the light we carry in us, which is His message of love is to be put out in the open, for all to see and to see by. It is our mission and one to be proud of. I am sure though we have all heard of instances where people are put off by strong-armed evangelism. Why should this be the case? This happens because such evangelists do as David did and attempt to share about God in the way they best understand. Yet others either do not have the knowledge they have or understand differently. When this happens, the lamp is placed under the bed, under the tub. Just like me and cell division. Brothers and sisters, why do we do so when things could be much simpler? Telling others about God works best when others can relate to what we are talking about. Let’s share God the way we would share $2.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Aloysius Ting)
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Prayer: Lord, help us to clearly see, comprehend and disseminate Your message for us.
Give thanks to the Lord for: Teachers and educators.
Upcoming Readings:
Fri, 01 Feb – 2 Samuel 11:1-4a, 5-10a, 13-17; Mark 4:26-34
Sat, 02 Feb – Malachi 3:1-4; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-40; Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
Sun, 03 Feb – Zephaniah 2:3, 3:12-13; 1 Corinthians 1:26-31; Matthew 5:1-12a; Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
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