Above: James and John, the "Sons of Thunder," with Christ. From St. James, Spanish Palace, London, UK. Photo by Father Lawrence Lew, O.P.
The division and conflict which we see among the peoples of the world in this present time are also evident in the Gospel reading for today.
In Luke’s account, (Luke 9:51-56) we see the people of a Samaritan village denying Jesus and His disciples passage through their territory because they were going to Jerusalem. This prejudice is bad enough, but the reaction of the disciples is also harsh. James and John, those Sons of Thunder, want to “call down fire from heaven” in punishment against the people of the village. Jesus “rebukes” them, a very strong word, indicating that they are proposing something which is contrary to God’s will.
We find a very different scenario in the example of Dominic’s life. When he was about to enter a village in order to proclaim the Gospel, he would kneel down and pray. His prayer, often accompanied by tears, would be that the people of that town would not be punished because of his own sins. His desire was that the saving message of the Gospel would not be weakened by the example of his life, but that the will of God would be completely fulfilled.
Dominic’s humility, purity of intention and great zeal challenge us all as we strive to participate in the New Evangelization called for by the Church. May the example of our lives, like Dominic’s before us, preach the Gospel without compromise.
Saint Dominic, burning with zeal for perishing souls, pray for us!
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