The Gospel today tells of the healing of a man from Gerasene territory. Naturally, the man once possessed by Legion joyfully proclaimed what great things Jesus had done for him. All were amazed but sadly only a few followed Him.
And then the unimaginable happened. Near the end of the Gospel passage, we read that people begged Jesus to leave their district because of what He had done with the herd of swine. Instead of thanking Jesus for healing the man, they sent Him away. But Jesus, in His infinite wisdom, knew better than to get offended. Instead, He got on His boat, crossed the other side of the river, and there continued spreading His healing love.
Saint John Bosco
Significantly, today we remember Saint John Bosco whose holiness was manifested through his ministry with the young people. Like Jesus, people also rejected St. John Bosco especially when he started the Rifugio. Complaints were lodged against him, declaring his community to be a nuisance, etc.
Yet he persevered in the face of all difficulties and, as a skilled educator, Don Bosco formulated a system of education which could also be very helpful for our younger generation today. His motto was “Reason, Religion, Kindness.” He summarized his program for the youth with a brief sentence: “The young should know that they are loved.” Don Bosco once told his boys: “Remember, whatever I am, I am all for you, day and night, morning and evening, at every moment.” He advised educators to love the young as they would love their own sons. It goes without saying that this also applies to parents as educators.
Twenty years after his ordination, about eight hundred students benefited from John Bosco’s educational system. One of his students even became a saint, St. Dominic Savio. To be sure that his work would continue after his death, John Bosco founded the Society of St. Francis de Sales. He sent out missionaries, especially to Latin America.
A Great Mission
If more parents would follow the example of St. John Bosco and realize their great mission to prepare their children for the future and for heaven, we would not have to worry about the future of our nation and of the Church. Like Jesus or Saint John Bosco, we need not be healers. We only need to bear witness to their goodness and become sharers of love and care to others, especially those in the margins of the society.
Lord, I pray for our educators, especially for all parents. May they realize their great responsibility and privilege to form their children for a better future. May they do it with healing love, and kindness.
Reflection Questions:
Have you ever driven Jesus away from your life? In what way? What can you do to spread the ideas and passion of Don Bosco among your family members, relatives, and friends?
