Today is the feast of St. John Bosco (a Solemnity for members of the Salesian Family). We had a parish celebration last Sunday, as is our privilege, but you know us Salesians - one party is never enough. So tonight we will have another.
I bring up this past Sunday because I committed a bit of a liturgical no-no. We kept the first two readings for the Sunday, but proclaimed the Gospel for the feast, from Matthew. It was the first reading though, from Isaiah, that hit me more than the reading about Jesus proclaiming that when we welcome a child in His name we are welcoming Him.
Isaiah is proclaiming that God's promise was meant for all the nations not just for Israel. Israel's mission was to be a light for the world, dispelling the darkness of sin and despair. That prophesy was fulfilled in Jesus, and is continued by the Church today.
Don Bosco was called to be a light to dispel the darkness from the life of the young people of his time. Many lived in poverty, both economic and spiritual. With the onset of the Industrial Revolution in Italy in the 1800's young people left the farms for the cities, like Turin, that promised jobs in factories and construction. We're not talking about eighteen or nineteen year olds; these were children of middle school or high school age working long hours in dangerous conditions for pennies a day. Those that couldn't find work (which were many) often pursued a life of crime and vice. The next step for too many of them was prison, and for the truly desperate, the gallows. They saw no future in this life or the next. Don Bosco brought them the Gospel message of love and educational opportunities that they may see that there is a future now and life eternal for those who have faith.
We often talk of Don Bosco as a prophet because he had visionary dreams and at times was given insights into future events. But this is not what really makes him a prophet. He was obedient to the impulses of the Spirit and proclaimed with actions, as well as words, that God is near and has a plan for each and every one of us. He was often misunderstood; by the government, by benefactors and even by his brother priests and his bishop, even by members of his own family. They tried to dissuade him from this mission that took a hard toll on is health. But Don Bosco firm belief was that this was not his mission, but God's. God speaks to us through our desires, but these are not the sole measuring stick of a vocation's validity. So yes, Don Bosco was attracted to this ministry, but simply liking it wouldn't have sustained him through the trials and tribulations he encountered. He once said that if he had known how difficult it would be to found the Salesian Congregation he wouldn't have begun. It was his firm faith in Christ, that He is the light of the world, especially for the young and poor, and that he, Don Bosco, was given the mission to lead them into that light, that sustained him. This is what made him a prophet in the tradition of Isaiah.
Don Bosco died 126 years ago today. Yes, his spirit lives on, but not in an abstract way, sentimental way. His prophetic message that young people are close to the heart of the Savior is lived out in every Salesian work that is faithful to the charism (gift of the Spirit) that he received. When the various branched of the Salesian Family work together, or even separately, to bring the Good News to the young, Don Bosco the prophet lives. When we work to educate young people, forming them to develop the Culture of Life, Don Bosco the Prophet lives. When we open young people's eyes to the reality of an eternal destiny in Heaven, Don Bosco the Prophet lives.
Here are videos put together by the Salesian's Western U.S. Provence about the Don Bosco Relic Tour. They gave some great insights into the Salesian Family and our mission and spirit.
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