You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached—how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how He went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with Him. Acts 10:37-38
“This was the method that Jesus used with the apostles. He put up with their ignorance and roughness and even their infidelity. He treated sinners with a kindness and affection that caused some to be shocked, others to be scandalized, and still others to hope for God’s mercy.”
John Bosco (1815-1888) in his Letter 4 as recounted Milton Walsh in Witness of the Saints: Patristic Readings in the Liturgy of the Hours (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2012) 553.
Jesus had a generous method as he went about doing good that we do well to follow.
Firstly, Bosco says, he put up with ignorance, roughness, and infidelity. While we can be quick to give up on people or write them off, that’s precisely the opposite of how Jesus has treated each of us.
Secondly, he treated sinners with kindness and affection. In a word, he showed love to the undeserving which shocked, scandalized and struck many to humble themselves and hope for mercy.
As I sat outside yesterday afternoon and looked to the mountains from our little deck (pictured above). I pondered and thought, “I need help from the Lord to live out this generous method. We all do.”
Father in heaven, thanks for you kindness to us through Jesus Christ our Lord. Help us by your Holy Spirit to put up with the ignorant, rough, and unreliable while showing kindness and love to all. Hear our prayer in your mercy. Amen.