MEMORIAL OF ST JOHN BOSCO, PRIEST AND FOUNDER.
MEMORIAL OF ST JOHN BOSCO. PRIEST AND FOUNDER.
THE GOODNEWS:
"On that day, when evening had come, he said to them,
"Let us go across to the other side."
And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was.
And other boats were with him.
And a great storm of wind arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already filling.
But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion;
and they woke him and said to him,
"Teacher, do you not care if we perish?"
And he awoke and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!"
And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
He said to them, "Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?"
And they were filled with awe, and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey him?" (Mark 4: 35 - 41).
Saturday 31 January 2026 in the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St John Bosco (1815 - 1888), Italian Priest.
John Bosco is called the "Apostle of Youth." He was a great educator and father to the young. He founded the Salesian School to educate boys and girls.
St John Bosco is the patron saint of apprentices, young people and Catholic publishers and editors.
A few memorable quotes from St John Bosco:
“Act today in such a way that you need not blush tomorrow.”
“Do not put off till tomorrow the good you can do today. You may not have a tomorrow.”
“Fly from bad companions as from the bite of a poisonous snake. If you keep good companions, I can assure you that you will one day rejoice with the blessed in Heaven; whereas if you keep with those who are bad, you will become bad yourself, and you will be in danger of losing your soul.”
“Your mortification should be your diligence in doing your duties and in putting up with the annoyances of others.”
Now to the Gospel of today.
“Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” This is the apparently exasperated rebuke of the disciples by Jesus. The disciples had seen signs and wonders performed by Jesus. Yet, they are easily shaken by every new crisis.
Were are the storms in your life today? Family, Health, Finances, Job, Property or Tools? Or have you nothing to worry about but your future?
All storms are sanctioned by God's mighty, merciful and mysterious Providence. Because the storms are sanctified or ordered by God, they are blessings and more often than not blessings in disguise.
"Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials,
for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (James 1: 2 - 4)
James tells us above that trials test our faith in order to produce perseverance. Without perseverance, we can never succeed.
Storm times are testing times. Where do you place your trust? Who is your security? Who is the first person you call upon to help you?
"My foes treat me harshly all the day; yes, many are my attackers.
O Most High, when I am afraid,
in you I place my trust.
I praise the word of God;
I trust in God, I do not fear.
What can mere flesh do to me?" (Psalm 56: 3 - 5)
The whole of Sacred Scripture teaches one lesson: Love God with all your heart and put Him first in everything.
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.
Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil." (Matthew 6: 33 -34)
When we put God and His interests first in our affairs, we experience a state that can be described as "No fear, No Worry, No Doubt." Because Jesus Himself has promised that:
"Fear is useless; what is needed is trust." (Luke 8: 50, Mark 5: 36)
As we open our hearts and minds to the word of God with confident trust, we experience the power of faith to rule and calm the furious storms that arise in our lives.
"Do not fear: I am with you;
do not be anxious: I am your God.
I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand." (Isaiah 41: 10).
"They cried to the Lord in their distress; from their straits he rescued them, he hushed the storm to a gentle breeze, and the billows of the sea were stilled." (Psalm 107).
God works silent miracles all the time for us. Show appreciation like the sailors. God is very pleased by our gratitude.
"They rejoiced that they were calmed, and he brought them to their desired haven.
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his kindness and his wondrous deeds to the children of men." (Psalm 107).
Such lessons from the Scriptures build up our faith. Don't miss them.
WE HONOR THE MOST HOLY NAME OF JESUS IN JANUARY. TOMORROW IS THE LAST DAY OF JANUARY. I WILL MISS JANUARY.
"Every time I pronounce the Name of Jesus, it seems to me that my heart is rekindled with a new fire of love and my soul is filled with a singular sweetness." (St. Alphonsus Rodriguez, S.J.).
"The Name of Jesus is a name of life, of salvation, and of joy. It is a name that strengthens the heart and gives light to the mind." (St. Peter Canisius, S.J.).
For the Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus, click the link below
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