Above: St. Dominic, detail from an oil painting in the museum at Santa Sabina in Rome. Photo by Father Lawrence Lew, O.P.
The scribes and Pharisees in today's Gospel (Matthew 23:23–26) have exploited the faithful who are crushed beneath their merciless exercise of authority. In return, they receive a sharp reprimand from the Lord. It is not the exercise of authority that the Lord chastises, but the way in which those who are entrusted with spiritual authority lay burdens that are too heavy upon the faithful and demand from them an unqualified response of obedience.
At those rare moments when we see the Lord's fury blaze, it is most often directed at leaders who misuse the spiritual authority entrusted to them. Jesus left an example of how to use our authority for the service of the common good. When authority is exercised well, it elicits a profound obedience and humility from the one entrusted with caring for others. Parents who exercise their authority well are obedient to the needs of their children, CEOs who are attentive to the needs of their employees exercise good leadership, and pastors who place themselves at the service of their flock mirror the example of the Good Shepherd, who led by laying down His life for His sheep.
In St. Dominic, we have such a shepherd who governed the Order of Preachers with equanimity, truth and mercy. Dominic consulted with the Holy Spirit by night so that his actions by day would reflect the splendor of the Son and give glory to the Father. May the saints of the Dominican Order inspire us to praise, bless and preach by the good use of authority that is entrusted to each of us.
St. Dominic, Father and leader of our Holy Order, Pray for us.
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