John the Baptist and the Dominican Charism

In the Scripture passage Acts 13:23-25, we are reminded of God’s promise to bring a Savior for Israel.  We are also reminded of John the Baptist, whose feast we celebrate today.  John heralded the coming of Jesus and proclaimed a baptism of repentance for all people of Israel. He did so with boldness and courage and humility, as he said “what you suppose me to be I am not.  I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of His feet.  John is a light heralding the way of Jesus and he remains faithful to Jesus and his evangelistic mission to call Israel to repentance and point towards the Savior, Jesus.  John is a teacher and a prophet.  He speaks with courage even at risk of being unpopular even to the point of death.  He is faithful to his calling and to Jesus.

John the Baptist reminds us of our calling and mission to teach as lay Dominicans and to evangelize.  John spends time in prayer and fasting to prepare himself for his calling.  We are called to prayer and study and community as well (and later teaching) (Our 4 Dominican pillars) to help us with our mission and to proclaim Jesus today and evangelize and teach.  We are called to be the light to our world and point to Jesus just as John did. John gives us his example of courage, boldness, humility and repentance.  

We are also given examples of modern day “John the Baptists” through the examples of St. Vincent de Ferrer and St. Louis Bertrand.  St. Vincent de Ferrer preached 21 years throughout Western Europe calling sinners to repent and convert and reform their lives as John the Baptist did.  He also preached regarding Judgment as John did and was called the “Angel of the Apocalypse.”  He did so with humility as John did and spent much time in prayer.

Known as “Preacher to the Indians,” St. Louis Bertrand, like John, traveled on foot preaching, instructing, and baptizing thousands of souls.  He traveled through jungles and mountain terrains taking little with him.  He remained faithful to his calling to evangelize and was bold in correcting public scandal caused by sinners as St. Vincent de Ferrer did and St. John the Baptist did in confronting Herod.

Just as St. John the Baptist and our lay Dominican saints, we are to remain faithful to our mission to preach boldly and with humility and prepare the way for Jesus Second Coming.  We are called to be the light and His handmaid in today’s world and to proclaim Jesus in the Eucharist, most especially in this year of the National Eucharistic Congress.