Happy Feast Day! To those familiar with Dominican history, I ask your patience. I want to offer a little background for everyone else:
Dominic was born in Caleruega, Spain, on this day in 1170, which would make this his 855th birthday. Wow!
Around the age of 25, Dominic entered the Augustinian Canons, was later ordained a priest, and happily went about praying the Divine Office and assisting in the pastoral and religious needs of the people of God in his area.
One day Bishop Diego, a friend of Dominic’s, asked for a favor.
Diego to Dominic: I need to go on a trip to arrange a marriage. I was hoping you could come along on this mission.
Dominic, thinking to himself: Oh no! I am happy and comfortable right where I am. I can’t. Isn’t there someone else that Diego could ask?
Dominic, being the reluctant yet good canon, said yes. It was this yes that signaled a new way of living out his call. Dominic would begin to plant seeds of the Good News, light, and hope as he unknowingly became an itinerant preacher.
Bishop Diego and Dominic started out on their 2974 km/1848 mile journey from Osma, Spain to Nidaros, Norway. This would take at least 27 days of walking, which is how they would have traveled in 1203.
Short story…somehow they got word (no cell phones yet) while traveling through southern France that the bride-to-be died.
Mission terminated? Not quite!
The seeds of a new mission were just being prepared.
Our reading from Isaiah began with “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the one bringing good news”… This region, in Southern France, on the outskirts of the Pyrenees Mountains was struggling with the Cathar (or Albigensian) heresy, which held beliefs contrary to Catholic teachings about the nature of God, humanity, and sacraments.
They would stop to rest in this region. They stayed at a public house (today’s Airbnb) where the innkeeper was a staunch Albigensian.
Remember the words of Timothy in our second reading? “I charge you…proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching…For a time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine but, following their own desires and insatiable curiosity…will stop listening to the truth and will be diverted to myths.”
Dominic engaged the innkeeper in a long, patient, and charitable discussion, focusing on the truths of the Catholic faith and the errors of the Cathar beliefs. This was not a confrontational argument, but a sincere dialogue aimed at understanding and persuasion.
The seeds were planted for the innkeeper.
In the morning, after an entire night of conversation, the innkeeper was convinced by Dominic’s arguments and returned to the Catholic Church.
The seeds of this new mission for Dominic have begun to sprout as well. This experience deeply impressed upon Dominic the dire need for knowledgeable and compassionate preachers to combat heresy and spread the truth of the Gospel.
It solidified Dominic’s understanding that preaching involved not just proclamation but also patient listening, thoughtful discussion, and a genuine desire for the salvation of souls.
This experience is often seen as a precursor to the founding of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans). As you know, we are dedicated to preaching and teaching the Catholic faith, always in all ways.
Dominic nurtured the seeds within himself and shared them with all he encountered. This seeding led to a worldwide garden of Dominicans who are called to spread seeds further. Dominic planted spiritual seeds of truth, love, peace, life, light, patience, compassion, and hope. In our time, how can we spread these seeds even further?
So, let us look again at the words of Isaiah – How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the one bringing good news…announcing peace. And Timothy’s words… For a time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine but, following their own desires and insatiable curiosity…will stop listening to the truth and will be diverted to myths.”
Dominic spent the rest of his life instilling the truths of our faith. As we are experiencing in our world today. It is more than the spiritual truths that are of concern. Truth in general is in question.
We live in an era when myths and false information are proclaimed as truth, while what is true is often ignored or dismissed as inconvenient. Each one of us in this chapel, on livestream, everyone, everywhere, must have the actual knowledge of truth and is then called to sow the seeds of truth, now and always. Let us plant seeds of truth!
These myths or false statements are affecting the way we think and behave towards our sisters and brothers, in our neighborhoods and around the world. We are not meant to be every person for themselves. Everyone should be and feel welcomed. We are meant to love all, even our enemies. We must live out of a common good mindset. Let us plant seeds of love!
Whether it is convenient or inconvenient, we need to truly care for all of creation so that the next generation will have a chance. If it not for the common good, it is not good. Let us plant seeds of life!
Many places around the world are in need of good news and the Good News. It may not be possible to physically travel like Dominic, but we can, as Timothy suggests, be “persistent” with our government and “reprimand” them when they are in error of their ways. All the people around the globe need to “convince” their governments that an end to ALL war is needed, especially for the sake of those still living in Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan. Many voices and hands will invite a larger positive response. Let us plant seeds of peace!
As we welcome Amanda as an Associate this day, may she boldly communicate her faith to others through the light of Christ. Let us plant seeds of light!
As Dominican Sisters of Hope, Associates, employees, and friends gathered, we need to continue to plant and nurture a variety of seeds. Until we are no longer physically here on earth, individually and/or communally, we must plant these seeds, nurture them as Dominic did through patience and compassion. Let us plant seeds of Hope!
Planting seeds can be physically, mentally and spiritually life-giving. We plant seeds to grow food and the beauty that surrounds us. We plant seeds of knowledge, becoming people of kind words and actions. Spiritually, we need to be about the Gospel in today’s world, planting seeds of Good News, planting seeds of Hope!
As you leave here today, we offer you some wildflower seeds. No need to dig a hole and bury them, just spread or scatter these seeds anywhere as a reminder of the seeds that we are called to sow every day. Feel free enough to let them fall where they may. You may want to do this right away, or you may want to wait for the right place and time. Most important is that you do not hold onto the seeds. Remember we are called to spread and scatter the seeds.
Let us always and in all ways spread/scatter seeds of faith, wisdom, love, compassion, peace, and Hope!