Memorial of St. John Bosco, Priest
We celebrate the feast of St. John Bosco today. Whenever we celebrate the life of a saint, we tend to wonder what they were like. Surely, they must have been people with great determination and clear focus. No matter what might have stood in their way, their mind was fixed on the goal before them. St. John Bosco had a full-time focus on the catechetical and essential needs of his people, especially the youth.
Having a singular focus can also contain danger. Sometimes our expectations can color our vision to the extent that present realities are not clearly heard or seen. This might very well be the case in today’s Gospel when Jesus returns to Nazareth to preach in the local synagogue. Most of the people had clear expectations of what their hometown boy would turn out to be. After all, they saw him grow up and they knew him. What a shock when he called them to exercise their deeply rooted faith in God and the Law in a new and deeper way. He was claiming an authority and a commission which exceeded their personal concepts of faith. They were closed to an expanded vision of faith, which left Jesus amazed and unable to extend the gifts of healing intended for them.
A question to ponder: do I trust that the Holy Spirit will help me to grow beyond my usual concepts of faith? Can I come to know Jesus in a new way?
Reflection by Fr. Daniel Petsche, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections