Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Friday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time, November 6, 2026.
Our meditation today has the theme: Sacred Initiative. Saint John Bosco or commonly known as Don Bosco started his work for the poor youth, which developed later into the establishment of the Salesian Kongregation or SDB, through smile, laughter and whistle. It happened on December 8, 1841. He met a poor and homeless boy in the sacristy the church of St. Francis of Assisi in the city of Turin, Italy. Don Bosco asked the boy to make sign of the cross and say some basic or common prayers, but the poor boy knew nothing.
Then Don Bosco asked the boy to smile, laugh and whistle. He could do well all according to his ability. This initiative of Don Bosco then led him the way to teach the prayers to the boy, which was followed in subsequent meetings with many other children added in the group. This is an example of sacred initiative, in which the way and the door are truly open for a process of knowing the faith, learning its mysteries, and finally meeting the Lord who is the source of truth and life.
The word "initiative" derives from the Latin "itiare" or "initium" which means to start or to initiate. We understand it as an act of taking or making the first step and making a breakthrough. In the story of the gospel we have just heard, the Lord Jesus describes the master praising his smart employee, even though he was dishonest because he manipulated the data of his master's debts. He was smart but he was not a good person.
Smartness which is part of human intelligence in the context of that story refers to the ability to see to one's own future. That employee represents people of this world, including us, who often worry about tomorrow. Some people save a lot in the bank. There are other who do investments in the form of lands, houses or gold. Or others want to guarantee their future by sending their children and grandchildren to the best possible schools. All of these are forms of initiative. We must make initiatives of any kind in a right and honest manner. We will be praised by the Lord for being able to count on our own future.
We should also be able to take into account the future of our spiritual life in the journey to the Father. Saint Paul in his letter to the Philippians was well aware that the direction of the spiritual life of the followers of Christ often becomes obscured or misled because there are so many influences of this world that are not true. So, He offered himself as an example to follow. Many saints, like Apostle Paul, want us to imitate them so that we can fulfill what God wishes of every one of us.
Let's pray. In the name of the Father ... O Lord Jesus Christ, we praise You as our true light, may our minds and hearts be always englightened so that we walk on Your path with joy and certainty. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit ... In the name of the Father ...
