WEDNESDAY IN THE FOURTH WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME, YEAR II.
Mystery of the day: Glorious
Table of the Word: 2 Samuel 24:2.9-17; Psalm 32:1-2.5.6.7 (R. see 5a); Mark 6:1-6
Celebration for the day: St. John Bosco, Priest
(1815-1888). St. John Bosco founded the Salesian Society, named in honor of St. Francis de Sales, and the Daughters of Mary, Help of Christians. His lifework was the welfare of young boys and girls, hence his title, "Apostle of Youth". He had no formal system or theory of education. His methods centered on persuasion, authentic religiosity, and love for young people. He was an enlightened educator and innovator.
The WORD: "Where did this man get all this? What is the wisdom given to him? What mighty works are wrought by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and..." (see 2 Samuel 24:2.9-17)
Theme: The man with authority.
Inspiration:
The personality of Jesus has been questioned right from the moment of birth by the Jews and Scribes. His attributes was quite overwhelming as He taught with authority and firmness of speech. His fame was every where which even the unclean spirit in the demoniac attested to (cf.Mark 5:1-20).
However, Christ came in as the fulfillment of the law and the prophets, and a ransom for humanity. Thus, He was embedded with all wisdom and integrity. That is why in today's gospel pericope His people were overwhelmed with the power of His wisdom saying:
"Where did this man get all this? What is the wisdom given to him? What mighty works are wrought by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and..." (see 2 Samuel 24:2.9-17)
Above all, He did not count Himelf equal with His Father but emptied Himself to take the form of man except in sin (kenosis). He did all these so as to reconcile humanity with the divinity.
Beloved in Christ, do we recognise the authority of Jesus in our lives and conducts? This suggests that, by recognising Him we are bearing witness to the gospel values. We therefore need to live out the gospel pages , so that even if the unclean spirit sees us he will acknowledge the power and authority of Christ in us.
In the same way, one who has not encountered Christ but heard about Him will ask us: "Are you Christ?". Until when we prove ourselves as faithful stewards of the good news then our righteousness will be subjected to questions.
My beloved in Christ, let us live out this message of salvation for the world to see in our actions the power and authority of Christ the Lord. As we are journeying along this ephemeral path, we pray earnestly that through the intercession of St. John Bosco - the Apostle of Youth we may be attracted to what is good in God so that we will be conscious of His Son's power and authority in us. Peace! Be with you!
Let us pray
O God, who raised up the Priest Saint John Bosco as a father and teacher of the young, grant, we pray, that, aflame with the same fire of love, we may seek out souls and serve you alone through our thoughts, words and actions. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
© The ARCHIVE 31012024
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