Memorial of Saint Dominic, Priest

The Fire of Memory and the Wood of the Cross

Deut 4:32-40, Psalm: 76, Mt 16:24-28

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, as we honor St. Dominic—the fiery preacher who armed himself with prayer and the Cross—today’s Scriptures summon us to two transformative acts: remembering God’s mighty deeds and embracing the scandal of the Cross. In a world of spiritual amnesia and comfort-seeking, St. Dominic shows us the path to authentic discipleship.

In today’s first reading, Moses commands Israel: “Ask now of the days of old… whether anything so great as this has ever been!” (v. 32). He recounts God’s intervention in history: the Exodus, the voice from Sinai, the gift of the Promised Land. This memory becomes the foundation for covenant fidelity: “You must keep His statutes… that you may prosper” (v. 40). Israel’s identity is formed by recalling God’s saving acts (CCC 218-219). This prefigures the Church’s anamnesis (memorial) in the Eucharist (Lk 22:19). The purpose of Memory is to ignite awe (“The Lord is God; there is no other!” v. 35) and fuel obedience (“Keep His commandments,” v. 40). Forgetting leads to idolatry (Dt 4:23). As Pope Benedict XVI taught: “Israel learns that memory of God’s works is decisive for the journey of faith… It creates identity” (Verbum Domini, 13).

In today’s Gospel, after Peter’s confession, Jesus startles the disciples: “Whoever wishes to come after Me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me” (v. 24). He links self-denial to eternal gain: “Whoever loses his life for My sake will find it” (v. 25). Earthly success is inverted: “What profit would a man gain if he wins the world but loses his soul?” (v. 26). The Cross is not optional (CCC 618). “Taking it up” means daily surrender to God’s will amid trials. As an Eschatological Promise, the “Son of Man coming in glory” (v. 27) refers to Christ’s Second Coming, where eternal destiny is revealed. Present suffering prepares for that judgment. The Catechism taught us, “The Cross is the unique sacrifice of Christ… It remains the source of all graces” (CCC 617).

St. Dominic embraced austerity to win souls, saying: “I want no part in a salvation that does not call me to sacrifice.” His Order’s motto—“Laudare, Benedicere, Praedicare” (To Praise, To Bless, To Preach)—flowed from this union.

In our daily Life, we should cultivate Holy Memory and Embrace our Cross by preaching without Words as St. Dominic witnessed. As Pope Paul VI taught us, “Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers” (Evangelii Nuntiandi, 41). We should invest in Eternity.

Moses’ command to remember and Christ’s demand to take up the Cross find their perfect disciple in St. Dominic. He shows us: When we cling to the memory of God’s faithfulness, the Cross becomes not a burden but a weapon of love.
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, let St. Dominic’s burning question pierce our hearts: “Lord, what will become of sinners?” Then, armed with prayer and the wood of the Cross, let us go forth—remembering His deeds, bearing our trials, and preaching His mercy—until the Son of Man returns in glory. St. Dominic, pray for us! Amen.