LAY DOMINICANS Central Province USA

We are all familiar with that great Christological question posed in the synoptic Gospels “who do you say I am?” (Mark 8:29 and parallels), but I wonder how would we answer the question, who do we say we are? Certainly, I believe most of us would identify ourselves as Lay Dominicans, but do we identify ourselves as preachers? Certainly, we know that preaching is our charism, but do we—deep in the marrow of our bones—believe that we are first and foremost preachers?

We enjoy our study—both individual and in community. We (myself included) delight in our pictures and statues of Dominic, Catherine, Martin, and all our favorite Dominicans, but, I wonders, do we struggle seeing ourselves called to be a preacher in all that we say and all that we do?

Many of us are aware of the canonical limitations on laity preaching during Mass, but there are other liturgical opportunities for preaching for lay persons: liturgy of the hours, wake services, presentations to RCIA, children’s liturgies, parish missions, retreats, et cetera. However, “pulpit preaching” is only one type of preaching. It was interesting to note that the International Preaching Commission—comprised of all branches of The Order—was more concerned with the other avenues of preaching, rather than liturgical preaching. Our European Friars noted the poor Mass attendance shifts the major emphasis of where the majority of preaching opportunities are, namely outside the traditional realm of preaching, within the world, where all are called to preach the Gospel—lay and ordained.

So how can we form ourselves as preachers? Look for opportunities to speak about our faith. Are there opportunities at work where the news of the day is being discussed? Could we perhaps add a perspective steeped in the peace and justice of the Gospel? Can we speak up for those who are marginalized? Can we--always measured in kindness and gentleness--speak up when a “joke” is told at someone else’s expense?

Let us try and look at everything that we say and do as the actions of a preacher. Perhaps we could begin each day in prayer, asking God to bless us in our preaching in everything we say and do. It could begin with something as simple as the message on our answering machine or voice mail. Could this be an opportunity to proclaim God’s love and peace?

Who do we say that we are? Let us respond heartily, “we are preachers of the Gospel!”

~Laura Dejmek, OP
  (Lay Dominican) Promoter of Preaching