Gospel of Matthew 16:24-28
Jesus said to his disciples,
“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,
take up his cross, and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."
Happy Feast Day, Saint Dominic! Today is a special feast day for the Order of Preachers. We celebrate the memorial of St. Dominic of Guzman, founder of the Dominican Order. I came across the text "Novus athleta Domini" from a hymn sung in today's Liturgy of the Hours Morning Prayer. I think it eloquently sums up St. Dominic and his charism - To Praise, Bless, and Preach.
"Saint Dominic, fulfills his name
As tireless athlete for his Lord,
St. Dominic, Pray for Us!
-J.
Happy Feast Day, Saint Dominic! Today is a special feast day for the Order of Preachers. We celebrate the memorial of St. Dominic of Guzman, founder of the Dominican Order. I came across the text "Novus athleta Domini" from a hymn sung in today's Liturgy of the Hours Morning Prayer. I think it eloquently sums up St. Dominic and his charism - To Praise, Bless, and Preach.
"Saint Dominic, fulfills his name
As tireless athlete for his Lord,
In preaching and in making known
The word of God, the Spirit’s sword.
Preserving heart and conscience pure,
From evil he kept far away,
Though burning like a flaming torch
With zeal to save those gone astray.
He spurned the honors of this world,
To all he strove the truth to show,
Supported by the grace of Christ
He went unarmed to meet the foe.
To words he added prodigies
With earnest tears and constant prayer,
While sending his companions out
To spread the Gospel ev’rywhere.
All honor, glory, homage, praise
To God Almighty, One in Three,
Who by the prayers of Dominic
Will give us joy eternally. Amen."
The Spirit's Sword I love the symbolic reference of the Word of God to the Spirit's Sword. I never thought of it this way, but it's very accurate, especially in modern day. As Christians, we are constantly battling against ignorance, apathy, confusion, and disinterest. The term "post-Christian society" has become a regular description for the world we live in.
In the 13th century, part of Saint Dominic's mission was the preach the Truth of the Gospels. Heresy hit epidemic proportions with people choosing their own interpretation of Christianity or worshiping pagan ideals. Saint Dominic and his Order of Preachers understood the Lord calling them to go out into the world, spreading the good news in a dynamic way. People from far away lands needed to hear the Truth. It shouldn't only be limited to the cloistered monastery.
When we read scripture and meditate, Christ's words transform themselves into a mighty sword. We can take that sword and use it in ways that will better our lives inside and out!
Use the Spirit's sword to cut away at negativity, anger, and resentment.
Use the Spirit's sword to pierce through anxiety, doubt, insecurity, and worthlessness.
Use the Spirit's sword to slice up bad habits and addictions.
Use the Spirit's sword to kill Satan's evil influences.
As Catholics, I think it's important for us to continue to educate ourselves in the faith. Fortunately, we have so many resources at our fingertips - websites, social media, books, audio programs, Catholic news outlets, etc.. Much more information than Saint Dominic had back in his lifetime. There's no excuse to be ignorant.
We can all preach the good news of the Gospels to others just like St. Dominic and Jesus. We do not have to be religious. In fact, as laity an even greater need exists for us to evangelize and witness to others. People need to know the accurate Truth. Secularism and atheism may think it is winning the battle of souls, but we know Christ's message of faith, love and hope will prevail.
It's up to us to take the Spirit's Sword, using the Word of God to change the way others think about Christianity. Christianity is not a dying religion but very much alive and kicking!
"See, upon the mountains there advances the bearer of good news, announcing peace! (Nahum 2:1)
In the 13th century, part of Saint Dominic's mission was the preach the Truth of the Gospels. Heresy hit epidemic proportions with people choosing their own interpretation of Christianity or worshiping pagan ideals. Saint Dominic and his Order of Preachers understood the Lord calling them to go out into the world, spreading the good news in a dynamic way. People from far away lands needed to hear the Truth. It shouldn't only be limited to the cloistered monastery.
When we read scripture and meditate, Christ's words transform themselves into a mighty sword. We can take that sword and use it in ways that will better our lives inside and out!
Use the Spirit's sword to cut away at negativity, anger, and resentment.
Use the Spirit's sword to pierce through anxiety, doubt, insecurity, and worthlessness.
Use the Spirit's sword to slice up bad habits and addictions.
Use the Spirit's sword to kill Satan's evil influences.
As Catholics, I think it's important for us to continue to educate ourselves in the faith. Fortunately, we have so many resources at our fingertips - websites, social media, books, audio programs, Catholic news outlets, etc.. Much more information than Saint Dominic had back in his lifetime. There's no excuse to be ignorant.
We can all preach the good news of the Gospels to others just like St. Dominic and Jesus. We do not have to be religious. In fact, as laity an even greater need exists for us to evangelize and witness to others. People need to know the accurate Truth. Secularism and atheism may think it is winning the battle of souls, but we know Christ's message of faith, love and hope will prevail.
It's up to us to take the Spirit's Sword, using the Word of God to change the way others think about Christianity. Christianity is not a dying religion but very much alive and kicking!
"See, upon the mountains there advances the bearer of good news, announcing peace! (Nahum 2:1)
St. Dominic, Pray for Us!
-J.
Thanks for your column. A week ago I got a jolt, literally. I ran into the back of a car that had put on its brakes suddenly, and really smashed it and my car badly. I must have not been paying attention on a major highway. Repairs are way over $10,000 between her car and mine. This on top of a son who is leaving his wife because she is "mental" and my husband just out of the hospital with failing kidneys-close to dialysis. It does seem things pile up-major things at times. We wait for day when dialysis must start or hubby goes into hospice. We cannot solve our son and wife's problems when one of them refuses to see anything wrong, no need for counseling. The losers will be their two little sons! The cars will be fixed and our insurance premiums will go up, for sure. I wonder why God has allowed all this-I was on my way back from daily Adoration hour when crash occurred...am going back today and hope to continue daily again. Will probably never know this side of eternity, am trying to accept it all and unite it with the Cross of Christ for our family-many other problems within it.
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