St. John Bosco had just been ordained and assisted the pastor of Castelnuovo with preaching. He gained a good reputation for simple preaching, but praises inflated his pride. Once, John Bosco, travelled to preach at Laviano, anticipating praises. On the way, his horse was frightened and threw him off, causing him to lose consciousness. He woke up in the bed of the farmer who had saved him and the farmer told a story. Once, while transporting supplies home one night, his donkey collapsed and would not get up. Despairing, he yelled for help and immediately, a seminarian came, pulled his donkey to its feet, cleaned his clothes, and gave him dinner and a bed to sleep in. The next morning, the farmer tried to repay him, but the seminarian refused, “Perhaps one day, I will also need your help.” Hearing this, John Bosco was moved to tears, for he was that seminarian. He told the farmer this and said, “You have just repaid him many times over. God in His Wisdom has used this to show that good deeds always have good rewards.” Humbled, St. John Bosco pledged to no longer preach to show off his talents, but rather to glorify God.
Spiritual Talk – Fr Ho talks about St. John Bosco (32)
