Homily – Saturday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time (Year II)
By Fr. Williams Onyilo, CSSp
Memoria: Saint John Bosco
Readings: 2 Samuel 12:1–7a, 10–17, Mark 4:35–41
Ministry or apostolate, in my own understanding, is the desire to follow Christ in a particular way. It may be expressed by seeing Christ in the sick and caring for them, by helping beggars, the uneducated, pregnant mothers, abandoned children and orphans, the jobless, trafficked children, and many others on the margins of society.
There is a female congregation known as the Little Sisters of the Poor, founded by Saint Jeanne Jugan. Her apostolate began very simply. One cold winter night, she found an elderly, blind, and sick woman abandoned on the street. Jeanne took this woman—whom she believed to be Jesus Christ Himself-into her own home and cared for her. Later, more elderly people came, and Jeanne welcomed and cared for them as well. In time, generous women joined her, and from this humble beginning arose a religious congregation dedicated to the care of the elderly poor.
Saint John Bosco, whom we celebrate today, had a similar journey. As a young boy, he experienced poverty and hardship similar to that of the street boys and girls he would later serve. God used his painful experiences to shape his apostolate. His mission was not easy. Many of his fellow priests criticized him; the street children often exposed him to danger; and at times he was humiliated while begging for food to feed them. Yet today, Saint John Bosco is celebrated all over the world wherever Christians are found.
Dear brothers and sisters, some of the difficult experiences we are passing through may be God’s way of calling us to a particular ministry or apostolate. Let us be patient, prayerful, and discerning. In time, God will use us to touch and save many lives. And when we recognize that God is calling others to a specific ministry, let us support and encourage them, so that suffering in our world may be reduced.
Peace be with you all.
