Jesus departed from there and came to his native place,
accompanied by his disciples.
When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue,
and many who heard him were astonished.
They said, “Where did this man get all this?
What kind of wisdom has been given him?
What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands!
Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary,
and the brother of James and Joseph and Judas and Simon?
And are not his sisters here with us?”
And they took offense at him.
Jesus said to them,
“A prophet is not without honor except in his native place
and among his own kin and in his own house.”
So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there,
apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them.
He was amazed at their lack of faith.
REFLECTION
"He was amazed at their lack of faith"
John Melchior Bosco was his name but referred to as Don Bosco - "Don Bosco" means "Father Bosco" in Italian.
St John Bosco was widely seen as a lunatic as he roamed the streets and back alleys of Turin looking for homeless orphaned boys to help. He was seen as a scruffy priest surrounded by an entourage of ragamuffins. There he came, smiling in a threadbare cassock at the center of a rough and rowdy crowd—but joyful, one and all. It seemed he was the friend of every young rascal in Turin.
Don Bosco was a man of bold courage. He founded the Salesians, after St Francis de Sales whom he held in high regard. It was dedicated not only to helping and educating the young and the disadvantaged but to journey with them towards heaven.
He faced many obstacles finding a place for him to teach and gather young boys who were orphaned and undisciplined. Many people complained of their rowdiness and would ask him to find another place to gather. He would tell the boys, "God is our Father and He will take care of us."
His oratory for the boys kept moving as people complained of the noise. The government thought they were revolutionaries. Each time Don Bosco met with the boys, they had confessions, instructions, Mass and play time.
The clerics even attempted to place him in an insane asylum. But to save a thousand souls, Don Bosco persevered to the point of neglecting his health. When he was near death those street urchins (lousy, dirty, rough, and ill mannered) banded together and prayed one rosary after another and fasted on bread and water. He was healed.
His mother moved in to help Don Bosco in his work. She said, "Seek nothing but the glory of God". They were in days of no money for the rent and food. His mother sold her property and eventually had enough money to expand and meet the needs of the children. The children were taught catechism, mathematics, Latin and French. Eventually the Commission of Education became interested in his work. His Oratory grew and eventually he had a place of shelter for the boys who were homeless. With God's providence guiding him, monies were obtained to buy a home for the homeless children.
The children were given a higher education or were taught a trade. Eventually he opened up several more oratories.
He was a gifted musician, tumbler, magician and acrobat. Besides being quick witted, he spoke with eloquence and clarity. He led a simple life, winning people over with kindness and gentleness. He was also known to perform the miracle of multiplying loaves of bread. One time he had just a few loaves of bread for the many young sitting at table. He prayed for God's provision. They were all filled with bread. One day the farmers needed rains for their fields, he prayed to his Mother Mary and in a few hours dark clouds gathered over their town with a few hours of rain.
He also had the gift of reading hearts. He would remind the penitent of sins forgotten at the confessional. He was never punitive or hostile toward his children.
God spoke to him in dreams. In these vivid dreams his boys would be facing fearsome and disgusting animals revealing to him the state of their souls. Sharing his dreams with the boys, they were able to see the evil of impurity, disobedience, gluttony, pride, bad confessions and sacrilegious communions.
Mary was always with him guiding him daily.
Don Bosco was attacked many times throughout his life and a mysterious dog always showed up to protect him during these dangerous years of his life. The dog was a beautiful, strong grey dog, whom he named "Il Grigio," - the grey. The dog would disappear after danger was gone.
When funds were low to pay bills, people would show up with envelopes or packages of money for the exact amount due.
His faith, first taught to him by his mother and reinforced by his love and trust in God and Mother Mary, was easily shared with others. Would we be so blessed to have such saints as priests to guide the young as well as the old (who did not get it correct when they were young). Don Bosco was happy doing all his work, reflecting Jesus in his treatment of the less fortunate and willing to hear confessions, building orphanages and schools.
Jesus was not able to perform miracles in his home town because of the lack of faith of the people. Don Bosco loved the Lord and his children and always relied on God's will. Much faith was found in him.
"I will appoint for you shepherds after my own heart, who will shepherd you wisely and prudently." (Jeremiah 3:15). Please join PAPA in praying the PAPA prayer for priests and vocations.
God Bless You
(1) St John Bosco by F.A. Forbes, Kindle
(2) Forty Dreams of St John Bosco, From St John Bosco's Biographical Memoirs
(3) To Save a Thousand Souls, A Guide for Discerning a Vocation to Diocesan Priesthood, By Father Brett A. Brannen, Kindle
(4) Salesian Sources: Don Bosco and his work, internet
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