REFLECTION ON LIFE IN THE SPIRIT AS A SALESIAN

REFLECTION ON LIFE IN THE SPIRIT AS A SALESIAN
Oftentimes, I flash into myself, reflecting on the journey and call to Christian life as a Salesian; in the style of Don Bosco and the spirit of St. Francis de Sales. I always challenge myself on how I interpret the works of the Holy Spirit in my story of life with the world around me, more so among the deprived. We experience the Holy Spirit when we are open to the world and the events of the human story. The Holy Spirit exposes a new relationship of the beatitudes that goes beyond nationality, race, culture, religion. “Am I witnessing to the word of God which is imprinted in our hearts?” one would ask. The 1994 Synod document ‘Vita Consecrata’ presents the fact that the religious are charismatic, consecrated and moved by the Holy Spirit in the apostolate as they imitate Christ. The Spirit of unity is manifested in love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, faithfulness and gentleness.
The Holy Spirit operates like an internal drive that moves in form of: a messianic liberation; prophetic enlightenment of the word; and the religious experience of prayer. The spirit of a Salesian is a reflection of the compassion of Jesus who suffered for our salvation. Don Bosco emphasizes the spirituality of Da mihi animas to humanity, but more so with the needy youth. It marks the end of whatever we do, as well as the beginning of our everyday ministry; an anticipation. We adore in Spirit and truth the experience of finding Christ in secret love for all creation. We have a glimpse of God by our inner experiences of the mind and heart in relation to our society. We are instruments , that take and walk with the young to promote humanity, authenticity of life lived together in the one Spirit of God. Our mission starts and progresses with the energy of the Holy Spirit, which is a true gift of the resurrection. The Spirit of the word is that of our mission. The works of the Holy Spirit culminates in Jesus. For Don Bosco, God is near, present here and now – in the lives and situations of the youth.
In a nut-shell, the spirit of sanctity of Don Bosco is expressed in the virtues of St. Francis de Sales who shares the elements of: Devotion – gratitude, liberation and love; Sweetness/ gentleness – humility of heart as well as heart to heart colloquy; and Everydayness of doing simple things in an extraordinary way. We wear the heart of Don Bosco and live the preventive system among the abandoned youth, but with our eyes focused on Jesus Christ, the perfect model and the one through whom we receive the Holy Spirit. We are living testimonies of the Holy Spirit of God in the unity of the Holy Trinity.
Wanjala Moses.
12 novembre, 2007.