Friday, October 22, 2004
St Dominic and the heretic
At a diocesan retreat day last month, this story was related:
Dominic was on a journey with his bishop. They stopped at an inn in a part of France that had largely adopted Albigensian beliefs. Dominic and the innkeeper engaged in a discussion. The innkeeper did most of the talking, and through the night, Dominic patiently listened to diatribes against the Church, against the sacraments, and against much of what Dominic held dear. By dawn, the bitter Albigensian had been converted by the peaceable priest who had done more listening than preaching.
Dominic did not depart the weeping penitent without being moved himself. Though he remained form against the Albigensians, the incident reportedly sparked a change in his approach to ministry, leading him to the founding of the Dominican Order.
The story struck me as something similar to the opportunity present in the domain known as St Blog's. Unlike Dominic, many of us eschew the attitude of listening, fearing perhaps that silence is tantamount to acceptance of what we disagree with. Perhaps we try too hard to reinforce our own faith by our own speech. It is likely (a surety in my own life) that more listening could be happening with respect to both the dialogue with God and with other Christians. I'd appreciate any input from Dominicans out there in the audience on this one.
