Today, the Church celebrates the liturgical Memorial of Saint John Bosco, otherwise known simply as Don Bosco (Father Bosco), an Italian priest, educator and writer who was born on 16 August 1815 and died on 31 January 1888. While working in Turin, where the population suffered many of the ill-effects of industrialization and urbanization, he dedicated his life to the betterment and education of street children, juvenile delinquents, and other disadvantaged youth. He developed teaching methods based on love rather than punishment, a method that became known as the Salesian Preventive System.
While he most certainly had a great love for children, I wonder whether he was really aware of the fact that he was doing such good work. Many of us can easily recognize good work when it is accomplished by others, but we are sometimes slow to recognize the fruit of our own efforts, like the image presented in the gospel today of the sower who witnesses seed sprouting but is unable to explain how it happens (cf Mk 4:26-27).
Teachers among us may understand the struggles that Don Bosco faced while he attempted to influence the lives of so many children, yet all of us are aware of the many ways in which we expend efforts in an attempt to do the Lord's work ... but how often do we take a moment to recognize the fruits of our labour? Are there instances that we are aware of when such fruits came to our attention? Are we aware of the profound sense of unworthiness that so often invades the hearts of those who come to know the depth to which they influence others?
Have a great day.
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