Above: Stained glass from St. Nicholas' Cathedral in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK. Photo by Father Lawrence Lew, O.P.
The Gospel reading for today (Luke 14:15–24) initially seems to poses a situation we are unlikely to encounter. In reality, it is one with which we are all too familiar.
God invites us to be with Him, to share His life, to enter into His banquet. We say “yes;” we accept His invitation. Then, attention to the demands and pleasures of life become “excuses” for our not going after all. He is present for us; but often we are not present to Him.
There are many examples of this “not attending to God” in the living out of our baptismal promises. An especially striking example is the way persons regard the Sabbath Day.
In today’s world the observation of the Sabbath has been largely replaced by the mentality of the weekend: two days off, which “belong to me.” Activities and duties that did not fit into the week are crammed into the weekend. Family “rituals” may revolve more around seasonal sports than worship.
In contrast, the Sabbath is a sacred time and has as its core the relationship of man with his Creator and with those around him. The weekend may not call persons to union with God or family, but to a frenzy of multiple activities which leave little time for either.
In his zeal, Saint Dominic used his time purposefully. His days were marked by his priestly duties of prayer, study and preaching; all of which took place in the context of the community of the friars. The nights, he devoted to prayer, so much so that he often slept on the altar step. The days were for the brethren and those to whom he preached; the nights were for God. Dominic gave his time, all of it, to the Lord he loved and served.
Dominic’s example can give new life and reverence to our lives in general as well as to our celebration of the Sabbath. Love of God and neighbor are at the heart of Christian living.
Saint Dominic, preacher of the Gospel, pray for us.
|
|
