18TH THURSDAY HOMILY IN ORDINARY TIME — YEAR B
18TH THURSDAY HOMILY IN ORDINARY TIME — YEAR B
HOMILY THEME: SAINT DOMINIC: A PIONEER OF CREATIVE EVANGELIZATION
BY: Fr. Obinna Ezeaputa
Jer 31:31-34; Psalm 50(51)12-15, 18-19; Matt 16:13-23
Today, we honor the memory of Saint Dominic de Guzmán, a priest who dared to dream big and share the Gospel with a world in need. He faced a tough challenge—a religious movement that threatened the Church’s teachings—but instead of giving up, he found a new way to share God’s love with others.
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In our gospel reading (Matthew 16:13–23), Jesus asks his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” (Matthew 16:13). They respond with various answers, but Peter’s confession, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16), reveals a deeper understanding. Jesus blesses Peter, saying, “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18).
Just like Peter, who had a life-changing moment when he confessed Jesus as the Messiah (Matthew 16:16), Saint Dominic experienced a profound awakening that transformed his life. He encountered a significant challenge: the Albigensian heresy, also known as Catharism, which contradicted core Christian teachings, specifically the divinity of Christ.
This encounter sparked a deep conviction in Dominic to share the true Gospel message with others, leading him to found the Order of Preachers and to develop a unique approach to preaching, teaching, and witnessing that continues to inspire us today. It’s about using our heads, hearts, and experiences to share the Good News in a way that resonates with others.
His innovative approach was based on three key principles: reason, intellectual rigor, and witness. He believed that by combining these elements—logical thinking, in-depth study, authentic living, and sharing our personal stories of how Jesus has impacted our lives (Acts 1:8)—we can show others the real difference Jesus makes.
This powerful approach continues to help people grow in their faith, defend their beliefs, and share the Good News with others. Whether through preaching, teaching, or simply living out their faith, Dominicans around the world are still using Saint Dominic’s innovative approach to spread the Gospel and make a lasting difference.
As we honor the memory of Saint Dominic de Guzmán, let’s push ourselves to think outside the box and find innovative ways to share the Gospel and inspire others in our own unique way. Whether it’s through social media, respectful dialogue, or just living out our faith genuinely, we can make a real impact. May our faith be a shining light of hope in a world that needs it. Amen.
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