Memorial of Saint John Bosco, Priest
Lectionary: 321
Lectionary: 321
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| St. John Bosco |
At the turn of the year, when kings go out on campaign,
David sent out Joab along with his officers
and the army of Israel,
and they ravaged the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah.
David, however, remained in Jerusalem.
One evening David rose from his siesta
and strolled about on the roof of the palace.
From the roof he saw a woman bathing, who was very beautiful.
David had inquiries made about the woman and was told,
“She is Bathsheba, daughter of Eliam,
and wife of Joab’s armor bearer Uriah the Hittite.”
Then David sent messengers and took her.
When she came to him, he had relations with her.
She then returned to her house.
But the woman had conceived,
and sent the information to David, “I am with child.”
David therefore sent a message to Joab,
“Send me Uriah the Hittite.”
So Joab sent Uriah to David.
When he came, David questioned him about Joab, the soldiers,
and how the war was going, and Uriah answered that all was well.
David then said to Uriah, “Go down to your house and bathe your feet.”
Uriah left the palace,
and a portion was sent out after him from the king’s table.
But Uriah slept at the entrance of the royal palace
with the other officers of his lord, and did not go down
to his own house.
David was told that Uriah had not gone home.
On the day following, David summoned him,
and he ate and drank with David, who made him drunk.
But in the evening Uriah went out to sleep on his bed
among his lord’s servants, and did not go down to his home.
The next morning David wrote a letter to Joab
which he sent by Uriah.
In it he directed:
“Place Uriah up front, where the fighting is fierce.
Then pull back and leave him to be struck down dead.”
So while Joab was besieging the city, he assigned Uriah
to a place where he knew the defenders were strong.
When the men of the city made a sortie against Joab,
some officers of David’s army fell,
and among them Uriah the Hittite died.
David sent out Joab along with his officers
and the army of Israel,
and they ravaged the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah.
David, however, remained in Jerusalem.
One evening David rose from his siesta
and strolled about on the roof of the palace.
From the roof he saw a woman bathing, who was very beautiful.
David had inquiries made about the woman and was told,
“She is Bathsheba, daughter of Eliam,
and wife of Joab’s armor bearer Uriah the Hittite.”
Then David sent messengers and took her.
When she came to him, he had relations with her.
She then returned to her house.
But the woman had conceived,
and sent the information to David, “I am with child.”
David therefore sent a message to Joab,
“Send me Uriah the Hittite.”
So Joab sent Uriah to David.
When he came, David questioned him about Joab, the soldiers,
and how the war was going, and Uriah answered that all was well.
David then said to Uriah, “Go down to your house and bathe your feet.”
Uriah left the palace,
and a portion was sent out after him from the king’s table.
But Uriah slept at the entrance of the royal palace
with the other officers of his lord, and did not go down
to his own house.
David was told that Uriah had not gone home.
On the day following, David summoned him,
and he ate and drank with David, who made him drunk.
But in the evening Uriah went out to sleep on his bed
among his lord’s servants, and did not go down to his home.
The next morning David wrote a letter to Joab
which he sent by Uriah.
In it he directed:
“Place Uriah up front, where the fighting is fierce.
Then pull back and leave him to be struck down dead.”
So while Joab was besieging the city, he assigned Uriah
to a place where he knew the defenders were strong.
When the men of the city made a sortie against Joab,
some officers of David’s army fell,
and among them Uriah the Hittite died.
Responsorial Psalm PS 51:3-4, 5-6A, 6BCD-7, 10-11
R. (see 3a) Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;
in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.
Thoroughly wash me from my guilt
and of my sin cleanse me.
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
For I acknowledge my offense,
and my sin is before me always:
“Against you only have I sinned,
and done what is evil in your sight.”
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
I have done such evil in your sight
that you are just in your sentence,
blameless when you condemn.
True, I was born guilty,
a sinner, even as my mother conceived me.
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Let me hear the sounds of joy and gladness;
the bones you have crushed shall rejoice.
Turn away your face from my sins,
and blot out all my guilt.
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;
in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.
Thoroughly wash me from my guilt
and of my sin cleanse me.
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
For I acknowledge my offense,
and my sin is before me always:
“Against you only have I sinned,
and done what is evil in your sight.”
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
I have done such evil in your sight
that you are just in your sentence,
blameless when you condemn.
True, I was born guilty,
a sinner, even as my mother conceived me.
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Let me hear the sounds of joy and gladness;
the bones you have crushed shall rejoice.
Turn away your face from my sins,
and blot out all my guilt.
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Gospel MK 4:26-34
Jesus said to the crowds:
“This is how it is with the Kingdom of God;
it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land
and would sleep and rise night and day
and the seed would sprout and grow,
he knows not how.
Of its own accord the land yields fruit,
first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.
And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once,
for the harvest has come.”
He said,
“To what shall we compare the Kingdom of God,
or what parable can we use for it?
It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground,
is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth.
But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants
and puts forth large branches,
so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.”
With many such parables
he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it.
Without parables he did not speak to them,
but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.
“This is how it is with the Kingdom of God;
it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land
and would sleep and rise night and day
and the seed would sprout and grow,
he knows not how.
Of its own accord the land yields fruit,
first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.
And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once,
for the harvest has come.”
He said,
“To what shall we compare the Kingdom of God,
or what parable can we use for it?
It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground,
is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth.
But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants
and puts forth large branches,
so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.”
With many such parables
he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it.
Without parables he did not speak to them,
but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.
Meditation: "With what can we compare the
kingdom of God?"
What can mustard seeds teach us about the kingdom of God? The
tiny mustard seed literally grew to be a tree which attracted numerous birds
because they loved the little black mustard seed it produced. God's kingdom
works in a similar fashion. It starts from the smallest beginnings in the
hearts of men and women who are receptive to God's word. And it works unseen
and causes a transformation from within. Just as a seed has no power to change
itself until it is planted in the ground, so we cannot change our lives to be
like God until God gives us the power of his Holy Spirit.
The Lord of the Universe is ever ready to transform us by the
power of his Spirit. Are you ready to let God change you by his grace and
power? The kingdom of God produces a transformation in those who receive the
new life which Jesus Christ offers. When we yield to Jesus Christ, our lives
are transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. Paul the
Apostle says, "we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show
that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us" (2
Corinthians 4:7). Do you believe in the transforming power of the Holy Spirit?
"Lord Jesus, fill me with your Holy Spirit and transform me
into the Christ-like holiness you desire. Increase my zeal for your kingdom and
instill in me a holy desire to live for your greater glory."
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The Fruit of the Kingdom |
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Memorial of Saint John Bosco, priest
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Mark 4:26-34
He said, "This is how it is with the kingdom of God; it
is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise
night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its
own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the
full grain in the ear. And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at
once, for the harvest has come." He said, "To what shall we compare
the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? It is like a mustard
seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on
the earth. But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of
plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell
in its shade." With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they
were able to understand it. Without parables he did not speak to them, but to
his own disciples he explained everything in private.
Introductory Prayer:Lord, I
come into your presence with openness of heart. I know that you want to plant
your seed in me and help it to bear fruit. I trust that you will pour out
your mercy on me as I spend this time with you. I want to love you more and
become a better instrument of your love.
Petition:Lord, help me contemplate
the action of your grace upon the world and fully cooperate with you.
1. Steady Growth:Jesus
reminds me that his grace is working in the world. His message carries an
interior dynamism that affects souls and brings about change in them. I think
of someone who has surprised me by a sudden conversion or steady growth in
Christian living. I see many people who are working on projects of
evangelization or are full of Christian charity. I see many other people who
are trying in their secular occupations to do their part to make this world
better. I contemplate the many families that are striving to be places of
love in which each person is valued as a unique gift. This is the seed of the
Gospel that grows silently without our knowing how.
2. When the Grain Is Ripe: God,
in his mercy, often adds years to our life so that we can learn wisdom and
produce in our actions fruit that is worthy of eternity. How much do I value
the opportunities I have each day to do simple acts of charity or leave
messages that have a beneficial effect on others? How often do I pray for
others? Each day I should be attentive to the small and big opportunities the
Lord gives me to help establish his kingdom more deeply in my soul and in the
souls of others.
3. Disproportionate Strength: Like the
image of the mustard tree in the parable, Christ’s grace sustains many men
and women throughout the world. People discover in Christ’s friendship the
true home their hearts seek and the communion with all men they intuitively
desire. What a great gift we have in the Church! Let us try to make it a true
home for all people. Let us partake deeply of its teachings and its grace and
become more deeply a gift for others. The strength of love sustains us.
Conversation with Christ:Lord,
thank you for the workings of your grace in so many souls. I want to be
united with your grace throughout this day and throughout my life. Help me to
use this day in such a way that I will be planting your love around me.
Resolution:Today I
will take time to say a special prayer or make a special sacrifice for the
conversion of si
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FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, MARK
4:26-34
(2 Samuel 11:1-4a, 5-10a, 13-17; Psalm 51)
(2 Samuel 11:1-4a, 5-10a, 13-17; Psalm 51)
KEY VERSE: "With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it" (v 33).
READING: The key point of Jesus' teaching was the coming of God's reign. In his parables, he often used examples from everyday agricultural life such as farmers, seeds and grain, to invite his followers to discover the meaning of his message. Jesus explained that the growth and fruitfulness of the kingdom was not solely due to their efforts, but was the work of God. Human inadequacy could not hinder the coming of the reign of God, which would grow imperceptibly until fully established at the final judgment. Jesus compared the irrepressible quality of the kingdom to a mustard seed. When the seed was sown, it was very small, but when it matured it attained the height of a tree. In God's kingdom, there would be room for all people to dwell securely in its lofty branches.
REFLECTING: Do I trust that my work will be fruitful under God's guidance?
PRAYING: Lord Jesus, help me to grow and mature in my faith.
Memorial of John Bosco, priest
John Bosco was ordained in 1841. He worked with youth, taught catechism to orphans and apprentices and was a Chaplain in a hospice for girls. John wrote short treatises aimed at explaining the faith to children. He founded the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) in 1859, priests who work with and educate boys under the protection of Our Lady, Help of Christians, and Saint Francis de Sales. He founded the Daughters of Mary, Help of Christians in 1872, and the Union of Cooperator Salesians in 1875. Don Bosco's method of study involved observance of rules by instilling a true sense of duty, by removing all occasions for disobedience, and by allowing no effort towards virtue to pass unappreciated. He held that the teacher should be father, adviser, and friend, and he was the first to adopt the preventive method rather than punishment. He wrote: "As far as possible avoid punishing . . . try to gain love before inspiring fear." At the time of Don Bosco's death in 1888 there were 250 houses of the Salesian Society in all parts of the world, containing 130,000 children.
MINUTE MEDITATIONS
Look Around
Too often we believe that God’s miracles are rare when, in truth,
they are constant. God is working miracles today.
— from Tweet Inspiration
Be merciful, O Lord, for we have
sinned
What can we say the kingdom of God is like?Our understanding of Jesus’ parables can be enhanced if, entering into the story, we identify with one of the characters. Like the sower in today’s gospel reading, we have been called and missioned to disseminate the seeds of the Good News of the kingdom of God. We do this most effectively by allowing the teaching and example of Jesus to take root in our daily lives. Keeping mindful of Paul’s words - ‘I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth’ (I Corinthians 3:6)—we must leave the rest up to God. Though our influence for good may not be immediately, if ever, evident to us, it may, when supported by God’s grace, stand comparison with the tiny mustard seed which ‘grows into the biggest shrub of them all’.
January
31
St. John Bosco
(1815-1888)
St. John Bosco
(1815-1888)
John Bosco’s theory of education could well be used in today’s
schools. It was a preventive system, rejecting corporal punishment and placing
students in surroundings removed from the likelihood of committing sin. He
advocated frequent reception of the sacraments of Penance and Holy Communion.
He combined catechetical training and fatherly guidance, seeking to unite the
spiritual life with one’s work, study and play.
Encouraged
during his youth to become a priest so he could work with young boys, John was
ordained in 1841. His service to young people started when he met a poor orphan
and instructed him in preparation for receiving Holy Communion. He then
gathered young apprentices and taught them catechism.
After
serving as chaplain in a hospice for working girls, John opened the Oratory of
St. Francis de Sales for boys. Several wealthy and powerful patrons contributed
money, enabling him to provide two workshops for the boys, shoemaking and
tailoring.
By 1856,
the institution had grown to 150 boys and had added a printing press for
publication of religious and catechetical pamphlets. His interest in vocational
education and publishing justify him as patron of young apprentices and
Catholic publishers.
John’s
preaching fame spread and by 1850 he had trained his own helpers because of
difficulties in retaining young priests. In 1854 he and his followers
informally banded together, inspired by St. Francis de Sales [January 24].
With Pope
Pius IX’s encouragement, John gathered 17 men and founded the Salesians in
1859. Their activity concentrated on education and mission work. Later, he
organized a group of Salesian Sisters to assist girls.
Comment:
John Bosco educated the whole person—body and soul united. He believed that Christ’s love and our faith in that love should pervade everything we do—work, study, play. For John Bosco, being a Christian was a full-time effort, not a once-a-week, Mass-on-Sunday experience. It is searching and finding God and Jesus in everything we do, letting their love lead us. Yet, because John realized the importance of job-training and the self-worth and pride that come with talent and ability, he trained his students in the trade crafts, too.
John Bosco educated the whole person—body and soul united. He believed that Christ’s love and our faith in that love should pervade everything we do—work, study, play. For John Bosco, being a Christian was a full-time effort, not a once-a-week, Mass-on-Sunday experience. It is searching and finding God and Jesus in everything we do, letting their love lead us. Yet, because John realized the importance of job-training and the self-worth and pride that come with talent and ability, he trained his students in the trade crafts, too.
Quote:
“Every education teaches a philosophy; if not by dogma then by suggestion, by implication, by atmosphere. Every part of that education has a connection with every other part. If it does not all combine to convey some general view of life, it is not education at all” (G.K. Chesterton, The Common Man).
“Every education teaches a philosophy; if not by dogma then by suggestion, by implication, by atmosphere. Every part of that education has a connection with every other part. If it does not all combine to convey some general view of life, it is not education at all” (G.K. Chesterton, The Common Man).
Patron Saint of:
Boys
Editors
Youth
Boys
Editors
Youth
LECTIO DIVINA:
MARK 4,26-34
Lectio:
Friday, January 31, 2014
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
All-powerful and ever-living God,
direct your love that is within us,
that our efforts in the name of your Son
may bring mankind to unity and peace.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
on God, for ever and ever. Amen.
All-powerful and ever-living God,
direct your love that is within us,
that our efforts in the name of your Son
may bring mankind to unity and peace.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
on God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel Reading - Mark 4, 26-34
Jesus said, 'This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the land. Night and day, while he sleeps, when he is awake, the seed is sprouting and growing; how, he does not know. Of its own accord the land produces first the shoot, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the crop is ready, at once he starts to reap because the harvest has come.'
He also said, 'What can we say that the kingdom is like? What parable can we find for it? It is like a mustard seed which, at the time of its sowing, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth. Yet once it is sown it grows into the biggest shrub of them all and puts out big branches so that the birds of the air can shelter in its shade.' Using many parables like these, he spoke the word to them, so far as they were capable of understanding it. He would not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything to his disciples when they were by themselves.
Jesus said, 'This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the land. Night and day, while he sleeps, when he is awake, the seed is sprouting and growing; how, he does not know. Of its own accord the land produces first the shoot, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the crop is ready, at once he starts to reap because the harvest has come.'
He also said, 'What can we say that the kingdom is like? What parable can we find for it? It is like a mustard seed which, at the time of its sowing, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth. Yet once it is sown it grows into the biggest shrub of them all and puts out big branches so that the birds of the air can shelter in its shade.' Using many parables like these, he spoke the word to them, so far as they were capable of understanding it. He would not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything to his disciples when they were by themselves.
3) Reflection
• It is always beautiful to see Jesus, who sought in life and in events, new elements and images which could help people to perceive and experience the presence of the Kingdom In today’s Gospel, once again, he narrates two brief stories which take place every day in the life of all of us: “The story of the seed that grows by itself” and “the story of the small mustard seed which grows into the biggest shrub”.
• The story of the seed which grows alone. The farmer who plants knows the process: seed, the green sprout, leaf, spike, grain. The farmer knows how to wait, he does not cut down the grain before it is time. But he does not know how the soil, the rain, the sun and the seed have this force or strength to make the plant grow from nothing until it bears fruit. This is how the Kingdom of God is. It is a process, there are stages and moments of growth. It takes place in time. It produces fruit at the just moment, but nobody knows how to explain its mysterious force. Nobody, not even the landlord. Only God!
• The story of the small mustard seed which grows and becomes big. The mustard seed is small, but it grows and at the end, the birds make their nests in its branches. This is how the Kingdom is. It begins very small, it grows and it extends its branches. The parable leaves an open question which will receive a response later on in the Gospel: Who are the birds? The text suggests that it is a question of the Pagans who will not be able to enter into the community and participate in the Kingdom.
• Because Jesus teaches by means of the Parables. Jesus tells many parables. All are taken from the life of the people! In this way he helped persons to discover the things of God in daily life, a life which becomes transparent. Because what is extraordinary of God is hidden in the ordinary and common things of daily life. People understood the things of life. In the parables they received the key to open it and to find in it the signs of God.
• It is always beautiful to see Jesus, who sought in life and in events, new elements and images which could help people to perceive and experience the presence of the Kingdom In today’s Gospel, once again, he narrates two brief stories which take place every day in the life of all of us: “The story of the seed that grows by itself” and “the story of the small mustard seed which grows into the biggest shrub”.
• The story of the seed which grows alone. The farmer who plants knows the process: seed, the green sprout, leaf, spike, grain. The farmer knows how to wait, he does not cut down the grain before it is time. But he does not know how the soil, the rain, the sun and the seed have this force or strength to make the plant grow from nothing until it bears fruit. This is how the Kingdom of God is. It is a process, there are stages and moments of growth. It takes place in time. It produces fruit at the just moment, but nobody knows how to explain its mysterious force. Nobody, not even the landlord. Only God!
• The story of the small mustard seed which grows and becomes big. The mustard seed is small, but it grows and at the end, the birds make their nests in its branches. This is how the Kingdom is. It begins very small, it grows and it extends its branches. The parable leaves an open question which will receive a response later on in the Gospel: Who are the birds? The text suggests that it is a question of the Pagans who will not be able to enter into the community and participate in the Kingdom.
• Because Jesus teaches by means of the Parables. Jesus tells many parables. All are taken from the life of the people! In this way he helped persons to discover the things of God in daily life, a life which becomes transparent. Because what is extraordinary of God is hidden in the ordinary and common things of daily life. People understood the things of life. In the parables they received the key to open it and to find in it the signs of God.
4) Personal questions
• Jesus does not explain the Parables. He tells the stories and awakens in others the imagination and the reflection of the discovery. What have you discovered in these two Parables?
• The objective of the words is to render life transparent. Has your life become more transparent throughout the years, or has the contrary taken place?
• Jesus does not explain the Parables. He tells the stories and awakens in others the imagination and the reflection of the discovery. What have you discovered in these two Parables?
• The objective of the words is to render life transparent. Has your life become more transparent throughout the years, or has the contrary taken place?
5) Concluding Prayer
Have mercy on me, O God, in your faithful love,
in your great tenderness wipe away my offences;
wash me clean from my guilt,
purify me from my sin. (Ps 51,1-2)
Have mercy on me, O God, in your faithful love,
in your great tenderness wipe away my offences;
wash me clean from my guilt,
purify me from my sin. (Ps 51,1-2)
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