Scripture for
today: Joel 3:1-2
Then afterward I will pour out my spirit upon all Mankind.
Your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your
young men shall see visions; even upon the servants and the handmaids, in those
days, I will pour out my spirit.
Christ tells us:
Matthew 20:13-15
At one point children were brought to him so he could
place his hands on them in prayer. The disciples began to scold them, but Jesus
said, “Let the children come to me. Do not hinder them. The kingdom of God
belongs to such as these.” And he laid his hands on their heads before he left
that place.
St. John Bosco, a Man
of God: Born in 1815, the youngest son of a Piedmontese farmer, John Bosco
had a dream at the age of nine that showed him his life’s mission. Jesus and
Mary appeared to him and asked him to devote his life to helping poor boys. He
did this with perseverance and zeal admired by all. In the course of time, he
established the Salesian Society to continue the work he had begun. One hundred
years after the death of the saint, the order ranks as the third largest in the
Church, and is active in the foreign missions, trade schools, and hospitals.
St. John Bosco’s Dream:
When he was nine years old he had a
dream in which he found himself in a field surrounded by a crowd of boys. Some
were laughing and singing and playing games; others were fighting and using bad
language. On hearing the language he
lost his temper, dashed in among them and laid about him with his fists. Those
who were struck by his flying fists lost their tempers, too, and a battle royal
began with everybody fighting and finally everybody pounding him. In the middle
of this ruckus appeared a noble-looking Man; they stopped fighting to stare at
him. “Come here,” he said. Putting his hand on the boy’s shoulder, the Man drew
him closer. “You will never help these boys by beating them. Be kind to them,
lead them, teach them that sin is evil and that purity is a precious gift.” But
the boy was still too angry and too disturbed to listen. “Who are you to tell
me to do all these difficult things?” he demanded. “I am the son of the Woman
your mother taught you to salute three times a day. And these things are not
difficult. By listening to the Woman I shall send to you, you will do
everything with ease.” The Man disappeared and the boys at once changed into
dogs, wolves and other wild animals. Trembling with fear, he turned to find a
beautiful and gracious Lady at his side. “Don’t be afraid,” she said, taking
his hand in hers. “What I shall do for these animals, you must do for all my
children. But if you are to succeed in changing them into lambs, you must be
humble and strong.” When she had finished speaking, he saw that the wild
animals had indeed changed into lambs and were cavorting about her feet.
Confused by what he saw, he started to cry. “I don’t understand!” “Don’t worry,
my child,” the Lady comforted him. “You will understand everything in good
time.” (Peter Lappin, Give me Souls! Life
of Don Bosco, Don Bosco Publications, 1977)
My thoughts: St. John (Don)
Bosco went on to live the dream. He began at a young age by teaching catechism in his village.
Then he became a priest and gathered street gang members into Sunday sessions of Mass, confessions, games and catechism. He eventually founded an order, which is still very
active today, the Salesians. What can we do with our “dreams”? Don Bosco began
by praying, then sharing his dream with his mother. She encouraged him to find
ways to fulfill that dream. We, too, must pray and share those dreams we dare
to dream, the ones which never leave us alone. Notice that Don Bosco’s dream
has all the earmarks of coming from God: scripture backs it up, and the lessons
meant for Don are consistent with the lessons Christ preaches. It was also entrusted to the Blessed Virgin Mary, something we must do with our dreams as well. If we have a
dream, a thought, and idea which can help make our world a better place, start
by praying about it. Then, why not share it with a trusted friend or spiritual
director? God may be calling you to become, or do, something specifically for
Him. Don Bosco believed he was worthy of God’s calling. We must believe this about ourselves as
well. Don Bosco, pray for us (his feast day is tomorrow).
Our Prayer to God:
O Holy Spirit, Spirit of wisdom and divine love, impart Your knowledge,
understanding, and counsel to us all that we may know the vocation wherein we
can best serve God. Give us courage and strength to follow God's holy will.
Guide our uncertain steps, strengthen our resolutions, shield our chastity,
fashion our minds, conquer our hearts, and lead us to the vineyards where we
will labor in God's holy service.
Amen.
http://www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/prayers/Vocations1.htm#ixzz1kschMrHD
Amen.
http://www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/prayers/Vocations1.htm#ixzz1kschMrHD
No comments:
Post a Comment