Above: St. Dominic reading his Bible, detail from a painting by Filippo Lippi. Photo by Father Lawrence Lew, O.P.
“Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” (Mk.2:23-28). It was the type of question Jesus heard many times during the course of His public ministry. In this case the Pharisees were scandalized that Jesus’ disciples were plucking and eating the heads of grain as they walked through the field on the day of the week considered most sacred by the Jews. Perhaps some of his followers were scandalized as well.
The three synoptic Gospels where this passage is recorded are all followed by Jesus’ curing of the man with the withered hand in the synagogue. He thus confirms his teaching, so different from that of the Pharisees, by performing signs.
St. Dominic also confirmed his teaching with “signs.” It is recorded that, on at least one occasion, he ordered the brethren to the refectory even though there was nothing in the house to eat. Doubting Dominic’s confidence in God’s loving providence, most of them had to be called twice, for by their own reasoning it was senseless to repair to the dining hall when there was nothing to put on the table for dinner. But as they sat down and the reader began his task, two young men appeared and served them delicious loaves of bread. Surely this “sign” must have strengthened the faith of the friars.
God our Father is ready to confirm our faith with “signs.” We only need to ask.
St. Dominic, Evangelical man, pray for us.
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