Memorial of Saint Dominic, priest
The beautiful proclamation in Jeremiah of the new covenant which the Lord will write upon the heart contains a bold claim: “No longer will they have need to teach their friends and relatives how to know the LORD.” (Jeremiah 31:34) This claim (ironically?) requires some clarification, especially in light of the psalmist who proclaims, “I will teach transgressors your ways…” (Psalm 51:15) Is there to be teaching when it comes to God or not? Was teaching only a reality up until the time of the psalmist, but in the period of the new covenant which the Lord is proclaiming through Jeremiah all sort of teaching shall cease?
The Gospel offers a very clear example. Saint Peter is taught by the Father to proclaim who Jesus is. “For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.” (Matthew 16:17) It appears that in this gift of faith that Saint Peter receives, the conviction of his heart is not the simple result of the teaching of others. Here seems to be a glimpse of what the prophet saw.
The Gospel offers yet another clear example. Yet, this very same Saint Peter remains in need of teaching. After Peter rebukes the Lord for announcing the Passion and Cross, the Lord turns to Peter and rebukes him, calling Peter to change his backwards thinking. Here we seem to have a glimpse of the sort of teaching that the psalmist announced, and which Jesus fulfills. On this feast of Saint Dominic, founder of the Order of Preachers, let us ask for the grace of faith to have our hearts infused by God with the conviction of who Jesus is, and let us pray for the gift of openness to the teaching that God entrusts to the Church to guide us when we begin to take steps off that path of faith.