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The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Wednesday, Memorial of St. John Bosco, Priest, 31 January 2024 2 Samuel 24:2, 9-17 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Mark 6:1-6
Your words today are very intriguing, Lord; both the first reading and gospel spoke of our pride and lack of trust in you but, in both instances, you were there, the most merciful Lord, "regretted the calamity" imposed upon Jerusalem while feeling "amazed for their lack of faith".
But when the angel stretched forth his hand toward Jerusalem to destroy it, the Lord regretted the calamity and said to the angel causing the destruction among the people, “Enough now! Stay your hand.”
2 Samuel 24:16
Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.” So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.
Mark 6:4-6
How interesting that you, O God, was presented to us like humans with all emotions and feelings but in the face of human hardness and disobedience, you took the softer side of us humans: you regretted sending pestilence on Israel in punishment of David's pride while your Son Jesus himself only felt being "amazed" at the lack of faith of the people in the synagogue; if you have really acted as humans, you have gone worst in punishing David and insulting the people in Capernaum.
And that is how you deal with us always in the face of our sinfulness: you remain on our side, choosing to be merciful than vengeful, compassionate and understanding than angry or mad, simply be amazed at our incredulity probably with a few chuckles than insulting us, nor lambasting us. None of those human negativities on your playing like us humans, O God.
Most of all, in the midst of our sins and indifference, that is when you raise and send us holy men like St. John Bosco who until now through his Salesian priests and brothers continue to make you present in a world that loves to turn against you, God; bless the Salesians all over the world who form young people into your image and likeness, who witness to us your most noble qualities O God when you choose to feel for us at our worst selves. Amen.
St. John Bosco, pray for us!
