Word to the Wise
Thursday, July 13, 2017 - Thursday in the 14th Week in Ordinary Time
[Gen 44:18-21, 23b-29; 45:1-5 and Matt 10:7-15]"As you go, make this proclamation: 'The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give. Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts; no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick. The laborer deserves his keep." [Matthew]
When St. Dominic founded the Order of Preachers in 1216, one of his strongest emphases was on mendicancy - begging for daily living. He had seen that the luxurious lifestyle of the official preachers sent to combat the Albigensian heresy in Southern France contrasted sharply with the very simple lifestyle of the heretical preachers. The latter were winning converts. The former were getting nowhere in their efforts. Dominic realized that one's lifestyle spoke long before one could verbally proclaim the Kingdom of heaven. That insight was not new. It is clearly stated in today's passage from the Gospel According to Matthew.
The job description of a disciple in this gospel is a stark one. It would be difficult to imitate it completely. But we do have to come to terms with the fact that lifestyle preaches as well as words. While we Dominicans do emphasize the importance of verbal preaching, we are aware of the emphasis our Franciscan brothers and sisters place on poverty of lifestyle. The passage from today's gospel scripture puts an emphasis on vulnerability which enables the ministry of curing the sick, raising the dead, cleansing of lepers. In our day, those actions may not be possible, but other actions such as feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, etc. (cf. Matt. 25:31-45] are very possible. The saying, "Live simply so that others may simply live!" carries a lot of truth. How much "stuff" do we really need? AMEN
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