The Feast of St John Bosco | Wednesday 31 January 2024

Today is Wednesday the 31st of January, the feast of St John Bosco, in the fourth week of Ordinary time.

Ex Cathedra, directed by Jeffrey Skidmore, sing Dulce Jesus mio. “My sweet Jesus, look with mercy on my lost soul.” As I sit here, or stand here now, trying to pray, what kind of shape is my soul in? Content and at peace? Lost and wandering? On the edge? And what about the other souls around me? Are there ‘lost souls’ here beside me who also need the love of God in their lives?

Yya1 Jesuchrixhto,

apuk1rui
ityaku niyausus1p1
ninait1 sobi.
Dulce Jesús mío,
mirad con piedad
mi alma perdida
por culpa mortal.

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Mark.

Mark 6:1-6

He left that place and came to his home town, and his disciples followed him. On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, ‘Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?’ And they took offence at him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Prophets are not without honour, except in their home town, and among their own kin, and in their own house.’ And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief.

Then he went about among the villages teaching.

In this passage, Jesus has come home to the cynicism of familiarity. The neighbours who knew the boy, do not recognise the man for who he is. Can you recall a time when you have had this experience about others, or against yourself?

‘And they took offence at him’.

Share with the Lord your experience of being accepted in your own community.

As you listen to the passage again, ask for the grace to be receptive to the unexpected ways in which God may work in your life and the lives of others.

‘Then he went about among the villages teaching’. As you seek to discern your own path, ask the Lord to inspire you to follow in his footsteps, to place you where you are meant to be.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.