February 5th
The Lord Who Seeks Us and Heals UsAs we reflect upon our lives in light of the readings this week about Job's long-suffering and despair and the sick and distressed people who sought out Jesus for healing and peace, we hear these words of St. John Bosco (1815-1888): "It is therefore not astonishing that the saintly Fathers apply the following to our divine Savior as though He were saying to the sinful man: 'Son, I have nearly lost my voice in calling you' (Psalm 68.) 'Listen, O sinners,' says Saint Teresa, 'The Lord you have greatly offended is calling you. Hence, do not persist in grieving this loving and celestial Father. He knocks at the door of your heart, and keeps saying to your soul: 'My beloved soul, receive me!' Therefore let us no longer stray far from Him; let us listen to what He is telling us: 'Ungrateful men, do not leave me again. Tell me, why do you run away? I want what is best for you and wish nothing more than your happiness. Why do you want to go astray?' But, O lord, what are you saying? How come you have so much patience and love for these rebels? You, O my good God, keep telling me: 'You do not want the death of the sinner, but that he be converted and live.'" Magnificat, vol. 7, # 12 Another interesting aside about St. John Bosco is that in prayer he had a vision, in which he saw the Church as a ship tossed about on a stormy sea, nearly overcome by the waves. The Pope stood bravely and unprotected at the front of the ship as the captain. On either side of this ship, coming out of the ocean, was a pillar. On one pillar was an image of a Eucharistic Host. On the other was Mary. Bosco's interpretation of this vision was that in years to come the Church, just as this ship, would be assailed by storms. By clinging to Jesus in the Eucharist and devotion to Mary's intercession, and to obedience to the Pope (as captain) the "bark (or ship) of Peter," another name for the Church, would make it through the stormy seas. |