RBWords

     Early in the 13th century, Diego, the Bishop of Osma in Spain, was on a diplomatic mission to Denmark and was accompanied by a young priest from the cathedral of his diocese, named Dominic de Guzman.  They passed through southern France and encountered the effects of the preaching by a heretical group called the Albigensians (named after a place in France).  The details of their beliefs need not detain us here.  Suffice it to say that the heretics were far more effective preachers than the official ones sent by the Pope to counter the heresy. One of the principal reasons for their effectiveness was their lifestyle!  They professed to live according to the description of the early Christian community in the Acts of the Apostles, as quoted above [and in Acts 2:42-47] and managed to do it well enough to attract many converts.  The official preachers were bishops and abbots who traveled in luxury and with great ceremony.  This situation gave rise to the idea shared by Diego and Dominic that a group of trained preachers, free to move about and unencumbered by wealth, living an "apostolic" lifestyle, could be much more effective.  From this idea the Order of Preachers, the Dominicans, was born.

     The simple principle at work in this is that actions speak louder than words!  One's lifestyle should reflect what one is about to say!  A sermon is preached before one opens one's mouth!  The lifestyle of the early Christian community is idealized in the Acts of the Apostles.  They were not problem-free, but their efforts caught the attention of the public.  The early preachers lived their belief before they spoke of it.  Can we say the same?  Do we "put skin on our faith" before we put words on it?  Do we live as if we believe the Lord is risen?  Is there any kind of "Alleluia!" to our lives?  AMEN