Rest

“First tell the devil to rest then I’ll rest too.”

John Bosco’s closest friends were constantly urging him to rest. According to the biography of Don Bosco, after active days in the oratory he would often stay up late writing letters, books, or pamphlets, sleeping only 5 hours every night and abstaining from sleep one night each week (http://www.donboscowest.org/saints/donbosco). 

Don Bosco was a devoted priest, who never declined an invitation to preach or listen to confessions. On Sundays he would spend most of the day doing this important work for God, and often had to be led home half asleep or carried from exhaustion. Even through several near-death illnesses Don Bosco continued his work. As he aged and his once impossibly strong body failed him, he continued to write letters and give directions to his developing Salesian societies. He knew that although he may tire, the devil would not and this was a race for souls.

As we celebrate the Don Bosco’s bicentennial it is comforting to know that although he is no longer here physically to fight the spiritual battles over souls his thoughts and ideas still inspire millions to keep his spirit alive. In fact, at CKS last week, we did more than just keep his spirit alive:

Don Bosco’s work ethic can be an example for us academically and spiritually. We must always be aware that we control our choices and our actions. What we choose can bring us further from God and peers or it can bring us closer. Fortunately, when we make the wrong choice, we have a God that forgives and will help lead us to the right choices. He lends us His strength so we can rest, even while the devil does not.