Monday of the 4th week in the ordinary time of the year 2

Theme: What are your interests?

Today the church celebrates the memorial of St. John Bosco a priest and the founder of the Salesians. He founded a religious group with particular interest in educating the poor and the youths. He made use of his gifts from God to promote the youths by drawing them closer to God and also empowering them for their own good and the good of the church. His religious congregation continues to propagate these values, even after his demise.

We see Jesus making use of his gifts in setting captives free from the manipulations of and devices of Satan. This is very clear in the gospel reading of today, as he liberates the demoniac by chasing away the demons that were tormenting him. This brings me to a very important question, what are your interests and what are you doing with your gifts? We are encouraged today, to make good use of our gifts for the glory of God and our own good too. Our interest also can be used to better both our situation and that of others who encounter us at different moments in our life. We see this practice in the lives of the two great men that we celebrate today; Jesus and St. John Bosco. They added value to the lives of other people who encountered them at different times in their lives.

Let us all do all within our power to add value to the lives of other people without any hidden plan. Let your generosity be genuine and the blessings of God will never depart from your life and family. Let us be good because it is good, and not because we have something else we intend to get from our action. Allow God to bless your generosity. May God grant us the grace to have a humble and sincere heart, especially in dealing with others. Peace be with you.

Memorial of St. John Bosco, by Fr. Jude Ifeanyi Ifezime, C.S.Sp