Monday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time of the Year (C)
Mystery of the day: Joyful
Celebration: Memorial of St. Dominic (Priest)
St. Dominic was born in 1170 in Spain. His father was Felix Guzman and mother Blessed Joan of Aza. He was named after the saint Dominic of Silos. He joined in the congregation of St. Augustine and did social work. He founded a congregation of “the Order of Preachers” popularly called the Dominicans (Friar Preachers). He abstained from meat and was wearing only meanest clothes. He also lived in very inconvenient and worst accommodations. He walked with barefoot in the villages. It is also believed that the Holy Mary appeared to St. Dominic and asked him to preach the Rosary throughout the world and also told him that reciting rosary is the best way to get the grace of God. Hence Rosary of Mary is the foundation of the Dominican Order. He died on August 6, 1221.
He is the patron saint of Astronomers.
Table of the Word: Ezekiel 1:2-5.24-28; Matthew 17:22-27.
Theme: Call to civic responsibility.
"... that and give it to them for me and for yourself." (Matthew 17:27)
In the course of Christ's public ministry, He did not only teach or heal but also lived out His teachings. One of such acts was the payment of tax for Himself and His disciples. Evangelist Matthew in the course of today's reading presents in a clear term the incident which led to our Lord's response to His civic duty not minding who He was.
"... that and give it to them for me and for yourself." (Matthew 17:27)
This singular act is an open invitation to all who bear the mark of Christ (Christians) to be responsible citizens and respond positively to the call for civic duty prescribed by the society irrespective of his/her status.
To be civic means act of belonging to a certain domain or being citizen of such a place. While responsibility on the other hand has to do with the sate or quality of being responsible.
In other words, it is an act of having the ability and willingness to put into use our resources for the betterment of the society.
However, as Christians we are obliged to be responsible to civic responsibility, as Pope Francis in his Encyclical - Laudato Si challenges us to be responsible to reconsider our relationship with our environment. (cf. Laudato Si No. 3). This relationship gears toward our concern with respect to the society in which we live in; ranging from the care of our common home, it's surroundings, animals, trees, etc.
Therefore, how do we then take care of this God's given gift to us? We ought to respond to the proper care of this gratuitous gift of God through payment of tax, cleaning the environment, protecting forest, animals, sea life etc. In doing this, we are reciprocating the divine gesture with gratitude.
As we celebrate the memorial of St. Dominic today, may he interferceed on our behalf for grace to respond to our civic responsibilities. Peace! Be with you.
Let us pray
May Saint Dominic come to the help of your Church by his merits and teaching, O Lord, and may he, who was an outstanding preacher of your truth, be a devoted intercessor on our behalf. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
© The ARCHIVE 08082022
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