I will give you glory, O God my king, / I will bless your name for ever. / I will bless you day after day / and praise your name for ever (Ps 145). On February 10, thirteen Dominican brothers … Continue reading
Discipleship
To Be Like Them
Wouldn’t it be nice if being Catholic didn’t make us so annoyingly different from everyone else? If we didn’t have such a strong emphasis on sacraments and hierarchy, while those around us rely on egalitarianism? If Sundays meant football and … Continue reading
Forgotten Ananias
The account of Paul’s conversion turns our eye to great figures. Of course, there is Saint Paul, going from sinner to saint, from persecutor to preacher, from murderer to martyr. Also eye-catching is the role of Jesus, blinding Paul with … Continue reading
The Shepherd’s Voice
Am I a sheep or a goat? This is the question that always plagues me after hearing this past Sunday’s Gospel (Mt 25:31-46). Jesus’ description of the last judgment as a separation of the sheep and the goats never fails … Continue reading
Sibling Rivalry
When we’re with our families, we can’t pretend to be someone we’re not. They know our quirks and tastes, talents and difficulties. They tend to know us even better than we know ourselves, in fact. And we know them in … Continue reading
An Image of Sanctity
“Why isn’t she a saint yet?” This was the reaction a classmate of mine had to seeing an image of Mother Teresa. And it makes sense. This was a woman known around the world for her charity, compassion, and love … Continue reading
In the Fisherman’s Net
Not ours the wounds, the bloodied flesh, of those fire-tested ancient souls;Theirs the bones for grinding lion’s teeth to gnaw to living breadOr the blood to spell their credo, a sanguine testament witnessed boldlyAs fisherman’s inverted across the sea from … Continue reading
Emmaus
At last.Here look!See Love.Ye who do go conversing sad.Ye who see nowYour Lord drawing nearAnd yet see Him not.Ye for whom LoveHad died upon the gibbetDrowned in blood that dread Friday afternoonAnd all was thought lost. At last.Here look!See Love.Ye … Continue reading
Ramblin’ Men
The Allman Brothers were onto something with their lyrics, “Lord, I was born a ramblin’ man.” We are wanderers upon the earth. Why? This world is broken and, though it is filled with beauty, it is still a place of … Continue reading
St. Ignatius and Other Great Dominicans
Editor’s note: On April 1, 2014, Dominicana and The Jesuit Post exchanged April Fools’ Day posts. This one was originally published by The Jesuit Post and is republished here with their gracious permission. The author, Fr. Innocent Smith, O.P., was … Continue reading
The Paradox of Willfulness
Lent is more than half over, a good time to remember why we carry our cross. We do it to be disciples of Christ, to do His will in our life and not our own. But surrendering our own willfulness … Continue reading
Homesick for Heaven
I recently came across a line by Samuel Johnson that struck me as having a particular relevance to Dominican friars: “A man uncommitted is at home everywhere; unless he may be said to be at home nowhere.” As mendicants, we … Continue reading
5 Ways St. Joseph Can Help Your Lent
Editor’s note: This post was originally published on March 19, 2015. How can St. Joseph help you this Lent? I propose five ways. Simplicity In John 6, when Jesus boldly declares, “I am the bread of life,” his hearers murmur … Continue reading
Homeward Bound
Being lost in Manhattan can be a terrifying experience. No idea where you are, no idea where to go, and no familiar faces to ask for directions. Might as well throw on a blindfold for good measure. And yet, if … Continue reading
Something Reliable
Editor’s note: This is the fifth post in a series commenting on the first words of Christ as presented in the Gospels. The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel. … Continue reading
Jesus, Storm-Bearer
Editor’s note: This is the sixth post in a series commenting on the first words of Christ as presented in the Gospels. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me… to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord. (Lk 4:18–19) … Continue reading
Flash of Fire in the Fog
Editor’s note: This is the seventh post in a series commenting on the first words of Christ as presented in the Gospels. What do you seek? … Come and see. (Jn 1:38-39) At the very core of our being, there … Continue reading
Highway to Heaven
Editor’s note: This is the third post in a series commenting on the first words of Christ as presented in the Gospels. Let it be so for now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness. (Mt … Continue reading
Jesus Hasn’t Moved Out
Editor’s note: This is the second post in a series commenting on the first words of Christ as presented in the Gospels. How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s … Continue reading
Embrace of the Cross
The idea of a hug from Jesus can bring to mind the figure of a blue-eyed man with tousled brown hair, probably a big beard, and a cheesy grin with his arms stretched wide waiting for you. Or this time … Continue reading
The Eyes of the Heart
“Here is my secret. It is very simple: one sees well only with the heart. The essential is invisible to the eyes.” In Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s novella The Little Prince, a wise fox whispers this secret into the Prince’s ear. … Continue reading
The Face of an Angel
Yesterday we celebrated the birth of the Son of God. Today we remember the death of a man. Through Advent we watched for the coming of God, before being surprised to see angelic hosts and to hear the cry of … Continue reading
Are You Lonely?
John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Mt. 3:2). This Advent, John the Baptist invites us to go out into the desert to prepare for the … Continue reading
Don’t Drive Like Me, Brother
Advent is filled with John the Baptist moments. John the Baptist is like the siren at the head of a motorcade, waking us up to the arrival of someone important. What’s he saying? “Prepare the way of the Lord, make … Continue reading
Bethlehem Donkeys
Since I was little, I’ve known that the way to Bethlehem is best traveled “con mi burrito sabanero” (with my little savannah donkey). I first learned this from a Venezuelan Christmas carol (here with English subtitles) that sings: Con mi … Continue reading