Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Monday of the 4th week in ordinary time, January 31, 2022; memorial of Saint John Bosco, priest

Delivered by Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. 2 Samuel 15: 13-14.30; 16: 5-13a; Rs psalm 3: 2-3.4-5.6-7; Mark 5: 1-20. GOD’S PROVOCATION IS FORBIDDEN The theme for our meditation today is: God's Provocation is Forbidden. Saint John Bosco who was born on August 16, 1815, lived in an era of industrial growth in Europe, as a direct result of the industrial revolution in the 19th century. He found that the sections of society that were most affected were teenagers and young people. They are unreliable for the industrial world. Their parents and other adults, those who can afford would be able  to follow the industry but those who couldn't would fall into poverty. Young people were forced to fill the city streets to make a living with various useless activities. Often they were targets of violent exploitation and other crimes. Father John Bosco fell in love and compassion for them. He gathered them to live in dormitories and provides various educational activities, faith and moral formation, and skill trainings to them. The goal was that later they would be become useful for themselves, their families, the Church and society. They must be avoided from the risk of becoming the trash of society. For Saint John Bosco, every youth and young person is a seed of excellence for God. None of these young people were born evil or unkind. Because as seeds, they must be given the opportunity and all the possibilities to grow and develop. The Don Bosco education system takes this very seriously. This system is called the Preventive System. Like Don Bosco, we must have faith and be committed to realizing God's works in this world. If we follow Don Bosco's example, God's real job is to liberate young people and other segments of society who are most unfortunate in their lives. If we as individuals and part of society just turn a blind eye to them, of course we are very much against God's will for this world. Often actions against God start from a provocation. Satan is always trying to incite humans to fight against God, even though he knows that God will surely be angry with him. It had happened to Jesus who was challenged and disturbed by him. The same thing happened with Absalom who in the same provocative spirit with Shimei wanted to destroy David. All provocative acts against God aim to force God to follow human desires. We must be able to reject and keep away from these actions. Let's pray. In the name of the Father … Our most loving Jesus, teach us to remain committed to bringing about justice and peace on this earth. Glory to the Father… In the name of the Father…