Saturday of the Eighteenth Week of Ordinary Time
St. Dominic, the founder of the Order of Preachers, began his itinerant evangelizing in response to a threat to the Catholic Church. This came through the Albigensians who set up a rival church. They were Gnostics, a term that comes from the Greek word for “knowledge.” Gnosticism says there is a secret wisdom that one can receive to reach spiritual enlightenment. What accompanied this special wisdom for the Albigensians was an austere lifestyle in which anything to do with the body was considered evil. Their highest leaders were those who, reputedly, willingly starved to death to leave the prison of the body. As I have summarized it this sounds ludicrous, but the movement was incredibly popular. Hence, the great need for men to make a special charism to poverty and preach the real Gospel.
What is the difference between the Gospel and Gnosticism? The Gospel is available to everyone! It is not for those “in the know,” only who can do everything correctly. The Lord’s message of forgiveness of sins and God’s love for humanity was given freely and it would be perpetually discharged as so to “little ones” (cf. Mt. 10:8; 11:25). Jesus’ own public ministry was taken up with compassion for those who suffered in the body. And all of this is to say nothing of resurrection – the greatest witness that God loves material creation and calls it good!
We all want to know the secret to holiness. We would like to have that silver bullet that gives us the edge. And yet true Christian life is both easier and harder than one insight or a series of practices. True, some things work better than others – kneeling is more conducive to prayer than lying down, for example. Nevertheless, Christianity is cooperating with what God is working in those who acknowledge Him. It requires a movement of our will toward God, faith and asking for an increase in faith, and evidencing grace enacted in love to neighbor. All of this is measured in time.
Reflection by Fr. Pachomius Meade, OSB
Posted in Articles for Lent, Daily Reflections, Lenten Resources