Don Bosco Philippines South Province

Homily on the 3rd Sunday in OT, 22 Jan 2023

Many years ago there was a young girl from a foreign land who was enrolled by her mom in a Catholic school run by religious sisters. Her name was Laura. There she learned how to be prayerful and how to be a good Catholic. One day inspired by the teachings and examples of her teachers, she expressed her desire to be a nun just like all the sisters teaching in their school. Unfortunately she did not pass the screening mainly because her mom had become the mistress of a man notorious for his immoral conduct. This made Laura feel very sad because when she made her first Holy Communion she made a resolution similar to that of St. Dominic Savio, that is, to love God with her whole heart, to mortify herself and to choose to die rather than commit a sin.  So, what did the young Laura do? Did she get discouraged from being good and following Jesus whom she loved so much? 

Sad to say this is also the reality of many of our Catholic young people today.  Those who feel called to follow the Lord could not do so because of so many obstacles and hindrances, at times coming from the very family that cares for them.

Brothers and sisters, today we celebrate the third Sunday in Ordinary Time.  Just a short liturgical note, starting today and the succeeding thirty Sundays of the Church’s liturgical year the color of the priest’s vestments for Mass will be green not so much because green signifies ordinariness, but because green signifies a life, hope and continued growth in our faith, just like the color of growing plants and trees around us.  

The gospel passage we have just heard today, presents to us Jesus our Lord leaving behind Nazareth where he grew up and worked as a carpenter and then beginning his new mission of proclaiming the Good News to the people of Galilee. And what is that good news in particular? He said: “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.”  For Jesus to say that the Kingdom of heaven is at hand simply means “God is here among you.”  And therefore the first response to his invitation is “to repent,” to be converted from one’s sinful ways and to walk along the right path pleasing to God.

Now the second good news is so much connected to the first.  How can one know the right path that is pleasing to God? It is when we follow the footsteps of Jesus.  And so the second good news comes in the form of an invitation. Jesus calls people to follow him.  “Come follow me.” When Jesus proclaimed the first good news long ago, some of those who would become his apostles were there with him by the lake of Galilee.  But they were busy fishing, casting their net into the sea.  Probably they have already heard many false prophets before, uttering similar messages. But unfortunately they all died.  And so they did not seem to bother and care about what Jesus was really saying.  So while the rest of the Jews crowded around Jesus the two fishermen just went on with their business as usual. But then, Jesus took notice of Simon and Andrew.   He approached them, looked at them in their eyes, and said “Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men.”  The response was surprisingly and amazingly quick.  At once, they left their nets and followed him. 

As he walked further along the shore Jesus saw two other brothers, James and John.  He also called them to follow him.  And immediately they left their boat and their father, and they followed him.  What a brave and generous response, isn’t it! Those men did not even think of asking questions first before answering the call; questions like “Lord, ako ba talaga?” “Lord, are you serious?” “Lord, what do you really mean? Iiwan ko na silang lahat?” “Lord, unsay mahitabo sa akong future? Unsay kaha ang mahitabo sa akong family o sa akong uyab?” No, they asked none of these. Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John just allowed themselves to be captivated by Jesus and drawn to follow him, because he spoke to them personally, and he called them by name to follow him.

Brothers and sisters, most especially our beloved young people, every Sunday you come to church to meet Jesus.  The truth is, Jesus is truly here. He is personally speaking with you.  And today he is addressing the same words to you “Come follow me. I will make you fishers of men and women; fishers of young boys and young girls. Together we will show the world God’s goodness, mercy and compassion.  Together we will strive to bring many people back to the loving embrace of our heavenly Father.”  To Jesus’ invitation, what is going to be your response?  I assure you there is nothing to be afraid of.   Do not hesitate to say YES because you will definitely be in good hands.

Today is coincidentally the first day of the novena to our father, St John Bosco (his feast shall be on January 31). Don Bosco was only nine years old when he heard the Lord’s voice calling him in a dream.  And so when the right time came he left his home, entered the seminary and became a priest working for the poor, abandoned, neglected and exploited youth.  Actually he could not have passed the qualifications to become a priest according to the standards of the world, due to his family’s social status and financial situation. And yet God chose him; and by his grace he formed him and made him the saintly father and teacher of today’s youth. 

What is even more amazing is that despite growing up without a father, since he lost his dad when he was only two years old, he became a good, kind & loving father to thousands of youth. And eventually his method of educating was proven to be one of the most effective in making the youth good Christians and upright citizens. In fact through his unique pedagogy many young people were not only saved from all kinds of danger, but also empowered to do good.  And amazingly a good number of them even reached the heights of sanctity, Saint Dominic Savio, Blessed Zepherino Namuncura and Blessed Laura Vicuna, just to name a few.

This Bl. Laura Vicuna is actually the Laura in the story I narrated earlier.  So what did Laura do when she was rejected to enter the convent?  Here is the continuation of her story. One day, after school Laura attempted to talk to her Mom regarding her illicit affairs in the hope that she would listen and be converted.  But that proved to be futile.  On the contrary matters became worse for Laura at home. She herself began to suffer physical abuse from her Mom’s live-in partner, who by then, had already discontinued sponsoring her studies. Poor Laura!  While she learned so many good values in school, she saw only conflicting values and counter witnessing at home. What do you think was her next step? Did she run away from home? Or did she just allow things to happen as usual? If you were in the shoes of this little girl, what would you do?

Thanks to the goodness and generosity of the Salesian sisters!

Laura was given a scholarship grant which enabled her to continue her schooling for free.  Thanks also to the advice and guidance of her priest confessor! Laura learned to pray patiently for her Mom’s conversion.  She prayed often to our Blessed Mother and received Holy Communion devoutly for this intention. Very soon she also learned how to offer little sacrifices for her. She offered to Jesus her pains, her sufferings, every little thing she did and all that she had been going through in the house everyday for the salvation of her very own mother.

Very soon, this second attempt to help her Mom through her prayers and sacrifices proved to be really powerful. Moments before she died at a very young age, she had the opportunity to talk to her mother again at her bedside.  With a frail voice she said to her “For almost two years I have been offering my life to Jesus for you, for your conversion. Mother, before I die, shall I not have the joy of seeing you repent?  After hearing those words, her mom started sobbing. And she finally assured her little daughter that she would follow her advice this time. 

Laura passed away at twelve years old on this very day in 1904 with the joy of seeing her mother turn away from her sins.  She was eventually beatified by Pope St John Paul II in 1988 during the centenary of the death of Saint John Bosco. She may not have become a nun but she remained faithful in following Jesus along the path of holiness, by offering herself for the conversion of her mom.

Her blessed life is a witness to the whole world that young people today can not only be saved, but also become saints.  The apostles that Jesus chooses today are not only among adults but also among young people.

We pray during this Novena to St John Bosco, that many more people today esp. the young may respond to God’s call courageously and selflessly saying “Here I am, Lord, send me.” GiGsss!

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