Homily: Feast of St. John Bosco

Feast of St. John Bosco (Mark 6:1-6) “A New Day Dawns”

We may feel like other people reject us at certain moments in our life. When we feel that way, we know how Jesus felt. We see two groups turn on him in this Gospel.

The first group are his friends and neighbors. He comes home where he preaches in the synagogue. There is a bitterness among his peers. This often happens when a person returns home after finding success. The sense is that this person thinks that they are superior to the people they used to know.

We could say that this feeling is rooted in jealousy. We could also say that there might be a feeling of arrogance on the part of the person who has left and returned.

The second group that is alienated from Jesus is his family. The same emotions can be operating with family members as with old friends. Relatives can also have other issues with brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, etc. We know that most families have some level of disfunction.

Many of these problems can be overcome if people just take time to talk to each other. Usually, the hostility breaks down quickly and friendships are renewed. People just need to make a gesture of welcome or express thanksgiving for all that has gone before.

We notice that as the New Testament unfolds Jesus’ relatives become some of the pillars of the church. We have a sense that some of Jesus’ extended family were apostles. We hear how James, the brother of the Lord, was leader of the church in Jerusalem in the first century. Old resentments can die, and new possibilities can grow.

Reflection Questions:

1.    Do I live in my hometown? If not, how do I feel when I go back there?

2.   Is there a rivalry with my siblings? How might that be addressed?

 Dear Parishioners,

             Often men and women call me asking about validating their marriage in the church. Most of the time rectifying the situation can be relatively easy. Some people stay away from the church and the sacraments for years when they don’t have to. The people involved have bad information and they hang onto that rather than calling a priest and getting clarification.

            Not all annulments and dissolution are the same. There are many different circumstances. I seldom have seen a situation where I have not been able to reconcile a couple to the church. If you are unsure about your marital status, come and talk to me.

            May our Lady of Good Consul pray for us,

            Fr. Mark