Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint John Bosco, Priest
Readings: 2 Sm 24:2, 9-17; PS 32:1-2, 5, 6, 7; MK 6:1-6
Franciscan Reflection on Saint John Bosco
John Bosco educated the whole person—body and soul united. He believed that Christ’s love and our faith in that love should pervade everything we do—work, study, play. For John Bosco, being a Christian was a full-time effort, not a once-a-week, Mass-on-Sunday experience. It is searching and finding God and Jesus in everything we do, letting their love lead us. Yet, because John realized the importance of job-training and the self-worth and pride that come with talent and ability, he trained his students in the trade crafts, too. Source: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-john-bosco/
Summary
Following the news the chickenhawks of Congress deride a President for not immediately entering into war with Iran over the Iran-backed Houthis attacking ships in the Red sea. Perhaps a little bible lesson will help you. Saint John Bosco is right to educate the whole person — body and soul united. David is engaged in madness.
David took a census. His purpose should be clear, unless you are obstinate of heart, that he wanted to be prepared for yet another war. In Israel, eight hundred thousand men fit for military service; in Judah, five hundred thousand. More than enough to cause mischief: war, luxury and avarice.
See NABRE commentary: The narrative supposes that since the people belonged to the Lord rather than to the king, only the Lord should know their exact number. Further, since such an exact numbering of the people would make it possible for the king to exercise centralized power, imposing taxation, conscription, and expropriation upon Israel, the story shares the view of monarchy found in 1 Sm 8:4–18. See also Nm 3:44–51, where census taking requires an apotropaic offering. Source: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2samuel/24?10=#10024010
Here is the outcome – an evil LESS THAN all out war. The Lord is showing the severity of war, by degree, without allowing the war to occur. This is what the LORD says: I offer you three alternatives; choose one of them, and I will inflict it on you.
- Do you want a three years’ famine to come upon your land.
- Flee from your enemy three months while he pursues you.
- Have a three days’ pestilence in your land? Outcome: Seventy thousand of the people from Dan to Beer-sheba died.
Having seen the result David says: When David saw the angel who was striking the people, he said to the LORD: “It is I who have sinned; it is I, the shepherd, who have done wrong. But these are sheep; what have they done? Punish me and my kindred.” (Sarcasm ahead). Very generous of David to offer his family after the loss of 70,000 of his countrymen.
David isn’t a bad man. David is Every Man!
The Lord has gotten him through every imaginable difficulty there is, do you not recall all the stories (Lions, Goliath, Saul)? Yet, David chose to ignore the Lord’s aid and previous aid and instead decided for the future to aid himself of war.
Reflection
We are given the stories of David as a gift to see within ourselves the motives and motivations of our actions. Each of us are Kings, as it were. Each of us decides the fate of ourselves, our families and our countrymen. The foolish mess of war is not to be underestimated and to be avoided with every tool available. Trust the Lord!
Jesus, as Lord, is expressing the divine response in another way. Here he returns to his native place. He taught and healed – plus the stories of his works accompany him there.
But that wasn’t enough. We want to be the masters of our own destiny, even the parts belonging to the Lord. 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.
Now David’s story has full meaning. The three choices are the lesser of the war choice. Even still these natural occurrences require divine aid to survive them. Things happen. Things are survivable with the Lord.
Personal Reflection
What mischief when we overplay our free will. So much effort and so much work in mastering my future, only to see it be of very little value.
- Man proposes.
- God disposes.
Let Jesus: perform mighty deed, cure the sick people by laying his hands on them.
First Reading
David’s Census; the Plague.
In Israel, eight hundred thousand men fit for military service; in Judah, five hundred thousand.
Responsorial
Lord, forgive the wrong I have done.
Gospel Acclamation
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me.
Gospel
Rejection at Nazareth.
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.
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry