Above: Bust of St. Dominic in Bologna, . Photo by Father Lawrence Lew, O.P.
Jesus speaks in an enigmatic way to the teacher whose intellect is blocked by pride. Pride clouds the intellect, keeping us (Nicodemus) from accepting the testimony of others, keeping us from faith, keeping us from being born of the Spirit.
St. Dominic spent many sleepless nights, many painful journeys and many hours in prayer and in study in order to be a teacher whose intellect would be at the service of his neighbor. But pride is not simply conquered by this kind of self-discipline and generosity. Pride is countered not only by humility, but by truth and the daily submission of mind and heart to the One who was lifted up. In his constant conversation with the Lord Jesus, St. Dominic lived this daily submission, not as a servant, but as a loving friend. In this way, St. Dominic could learn heavenly truths so as to be a credible witness to those who did not believe. With love, he gave the truth to them. With tears he prayed for them. With deep sighs he offered repentance for them. With selfless generosity, he taught them. He himself had to be born of the Spirit before he could bring others to be born of the Spirit.
How do I react to those who refuse to believe? Do I have hope that someday they will believe? Am I willing to be an apostle to them, to offer the witness of faith to them? Am I willing to suffer for them? Am I willing to patiently and prudently look for the opportunity to talk with them? Do I pray for the Lord to enlighten me and strengthen me so that I can be an instrument for the gift of faith?
St. Dominic, teacher of truth, pray for us that we may be made true witnesses to the Gospel.
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