The 4th Sunday of the Year is also the feast of our founder, St John Bosco. Fr Gerry O'Shaughnessy SDB brings out the parallels between Jesus the teacher in the Gospel of the day, and Don Bosco's approach to teaching the young. Image: Christ Teaching in the Temple - O. A. Stemler and Bess Bruce Cleaveland, Public Domain

In our Gospel today, we celebrate Jesus the teacher and, on this last day of January, we celebrate the gift to the Church of Don Bosco. In the synagogue at Capernaum, Jesus made a deep impression on those gathered for worship 'because, unlike the scribes, he taught with authority.' His teaching was not just a word jumble or cozy and pious platitudes—Jesus gave them real insight and allowed them space to reflect deeply. Jesus is the living embodiment of the 'reign of God'and when he spoke, he spoke directly to the heart.

And he touched them, and he moved them in ways that none of the ancient books, and none of the old rabbis, and none of the eloquent men from Jerusalem all the way up to Capernaum ever had before. They just were in awe, because this was a man who spoke with authority.

The second part of the Gospel today shows that good teaching will always produce results. Centuries later, Pope Paul VI saw that the teacher, the one who can claim 'authority', has to practice what they teach:

Modern people listen more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if they do listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses.

Pope Paul VI, Evangelii Nuntiandi, 1975

In his actions, Jesus shows that his teaching is authentic. The people in that place of worship saw Jesus teaching the disturbed man in a way that made a real difference. This new teaching of Jesus is the true WORD of God: his teaching brings healing and life. When I was ordained deacon, the Bishop handed me the book of the gospels, saying: 'Believe what you read. Teach what you believe. Practise what you teach.'

Deacons will learn very quickly that God's word is not authentically proclaimed just by standing in a pulpit, or even sitting in a chair; it is preached in the holiness of the actions of our lives. In the Gospel today, we see Jesus doing exactly that; as witnesses, we are called to make a difference in the lives of all who suffer—no matter what the sickness. The man at the centre of the healing today was someone who was frightened, even frightened to go out of his own house to walk among the people like a free man. What was binding him? What was making him, even in his own heart, very unhappy — even though he wanted to be happy, he just maybe didn't know the trick? This 'teacher with authority' wanted to bring him peace, the peace that God wanted to give him, the peace that God wanted to heal him with.

All of a sudden, on this day, he is in this place, the synagogue, and Jesus stands before him and says to all the demons flying around in his soul, "Be quiet and leave him" and he becomes calm and quiet and at peace. In this early public ministry, Mark shows his readers what incarnation really means. This is the introduction of the one who will stand before us in those dreadful and difficult moments of our own lives, when we feel bereft of any hope of peace or future or past or present. It is Jesus who has the power to say to each of us gathered here today battling our own worries and demons, "Be quiet. Leave!" We must allow the life of God, the hope of God, and the love of God to flood into our hearts so that we can indeed become fully human and fully alive.

Don Bosco was the nineteenth century educationalist who wanted to bring that reality to the young workers of the industrial revolution—he wanted them to be fully human and fully alive, aware that they are graced by God. He was a teacher who brought authority with him; he realised that children and young people need care and appreciation in their lives. They do not need endless drama, anger, abuse and punishment—they need to be nurtured, appreciated and listened to. Bosco wanted his schools to be not only a place of education, but a home, playground and church—he was ahead of his time as COVID-19 lockdown meant that our own homes became the place of education, playground and church!

Today it is fitting that we show our appreciation to our teachers and all school workers who have been there for our children through the ups and downs of this rollercoaster year. These women and men have often put themselves and families into difficulties because they want to make a difference. These witnesses have had to adapt their teaching styles and be available both in-person and online. In the height of lockdown, our schools remained open to be available to the most vulnerable, and to allow our key workers to do their jobs. Don Bosco saw the work of teachers being so important, and I urge you to read the work of the Salesian academic Dr John Lydon or the weekly reflections of Deacon Mike Bennett on this website and in our 'Rualink' e-news.

Catholic schools are radical in their commitment to social justice, and by supporting groups like CAFOD, this commitment is always on display. These acts are Eucharistic acts. In the same way that we become one Body in Christ through the Eucharist, we also become one Body in Christ when we proclaim the Gospel through our attitude and actions. Some wise theologians call this the sacrament of the present moment. See Mike's article 'We are all in this together' .

Good teachers make a difference; as a Church we need to FULLY the support the work of our Catholic schools. What a wonderful parish of care we could be if every parishioner wrote a simple letter of thanks to their local headteacher! Thank them for the true Christian witness they make; thank them for make a real difference in the lives of young people. Children and young people need adults in schools who deeply care about them. As Don Bosco himself saw, teaching is one of the greatest things you can do; we have a real duty to support our schools and our young people:

If we want to have a good society, we must concentrate all our forces on the Christian education of the young. Experience has taught me that if we wish to sustain civil society then we should take good care of the young.
Don Bosco

A very happy feast day to all the Salesian family—don't forget to CELEBRATE and enjoy the day-I find that ice cream and a glass or cup of what you like helps a lot!

Saint John Bosco
Friend of the young,
Teacher in the ways of God,
Your dedication to empowering the needy inspires us still.
Help me to work for a better world,
where the young are given the chance to flourish,
where the poor's dream for justice can come true,and where God's compassion is shown to be real.
Intercede for me as I bring my needs to you
and to our heavenly Mother, the Help of Christians.
Saint John Bosco,
Pray for us!