Daily Gospel Reflection for January 31, 2017

Today's Gospel: Mark 5:21-43 - Memorial of St. John Bosco

Jairus, one of the leaders of the synagogue, approaches and asks Jesus to heal his daughter. Jesus agrees and follows the man to his home. Before He can reach Jairus’s home they are informed that the official’s daughter is dead. Jairus tell Jesus there is no need to continue, but Jesus insists on proceeding and heals the young girl.

St. John Bosco was told at a young age that a farmer could not be a priest. However, in 1841, he was ordained. After that, he began working with underprivileged youth, street urchins, people that society left behind. Persevering through naysayers and those that would see him dead, or at the very least declared insane, he opened a school for the boys, called the Salesian Home. There, John was able to ensure that thousands of boys would get off the streets and receive an education.

In both of these stories, someone is thought to be dead either physically or spiritually. In both cases the world had given up, and in both cases someone wasn’t willing to give up.

Jesus didn’t stop and say, “Sorry Jairus. She didn’t make it. I’ll see you next time I’m in town.” He wouldn’t be deterred from His journey. He would not allow one of God’s children to be left for dead.

John Bosco had the same reaction to the boys in the streets. He saw their need for love, for education, and to come to know God. He found a way to meet those needs. God would not reject the least of these, so neither would John Bosco.

Jesus and John; both told not to continue, yet both persevered.

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Ponder:

Do I give up when confronted with seemingly insurmountable obstacles? How can I be more like Jesus and St. John Bosco? How can I blast through the obstacles?

Pray:

Most merciful and gracious Jesus, in my times of weakness, when the walls seem insurmountable, shield me in your armor so that the insurmountable may become surmountable. Let me be like your servant John Bosco and be ignited by the passion of the act instead of fearful of the barriers to succeeding.

Christina Weigand is a writer, wife, mother of four, and Nana to three granddaughters. She lives with her husband and daughter in Pennsylvania. She has four published books; Palace of the Twelve Pillars, Palace of the Three Crosses, Sanctuary of Nine Dragons, and Women of the Bible: A Study.