I will . . . establish a house for you. 

In the middle of the nineteenth century, an Italian priest named John Bosco established a home and school for delinquent boys in the city of Turin.   Having grown up in poverty, Bosco was no stranger to financial need.   Despite the support of wealthy benefactors, he never seemed to have enough funds.   But God provided for him and for his hundreds of orphans in marvelous ways.   Sometimes he would multiply a small basket of rolls or a sack of chestnuts so that all four hundred boys could eat.   Bosco, who was canonized in 1934, believed that God would always provide their “daily bread”—and he did.

Scripture focuses on God’s desire to provide for his people.   Rather than allowing King David to build a house for him (a temple to the Lord), God promises, “I will . . . establish a house for you”.   He reminds David that he is the One who has chosen him to become king, he is the One who destroyed all of Israel’s enemies, and he is the One who has brought the kingdom into an era of peace and plenty.

Just as God provided for David, so he has provided for us.   It all began when he gave us the gift of life.   He also brought us into his family through Baptism, offered us salvation through his Son, and now feeds us with his own Bread of Life.   Wherever we go, whatever we do, our generous God is with us.   He will never leave us.   He will never stop providing for us.

If you were to try to tally up all the ways God has shown you his care, you might, like David, need to sit down and catch your breath!   Imagine: the God of the entire universe has taken a special concern for you, down to every hair on your head.

So stop and reflect today on God’s generosity to you over the past week.   Did you sense his presence in prayer?   Did he encourage you through the smile of a friend?   Did he calm your fears with a sense of his presence?   These are all ways he is building a home for you.

word among us