Above:  Map of Iberia in 1000 C.E.

SAINT DOMINIC OF SILOS (1000-DECEMBER 20, 1073)

Roman Catholic Abbot

Born in Navarre, St. Dominic of Silos came from a peasant family.  He worked as a shepherd as a young man.  This might have been an appropriate part of preparation for his spiritual vocation, given the biblical uses of the shepherd analogy for leaders.  Keep that in mind, O reader, while reading what follows.

The saint became a monk at San Millan de Cogolla monastery then a priest then novice master then prior there.  When King Garcia III (reigned 1035-1054) of Navarre ordered Dominic to surrender the monastery lands, the saint refused.  Thus he entered exile with some of his fellow monks.  Yet King Ferdinand I (reigned 1029-1065) of Leon and Castille offered them protection.  So Dominic and monks relocated to the monastery at Silos, with the saint as the abbot there.  He rebuilt it spiritually, physically, and financially.  The monastery had fallen on hard times and its had declined to six monks.

The Holy Church and institutions thereof experience hardships; they have since the founding.  Fortunately, human instruments of God are on hand to rebuild that which is broken.  Are you, O reader, such an instrument of God where you are?  If so, may you fulfill the work God has assigned you.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

NOVEMBER 26, 2011 COMMON ERA

THE LAST DAY OF ORDINARY TIME 2011

THE FEAST OF SAINT JOHN BERCHMANS, ROMAN CATHOLIC SEMINARIAN

THE FEAST OF ISAAC WATTS, HYMN WRITER

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Almighty God,

we praise you for your servant Saint Dominic of Silos,

through whom you have called the church to its tasks and renewed its life.

Raise up in our own day teachers and prophets inspired by your Spirit,

whose voices will give strength to your church

and proclaim the reality of your reign,

through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.  Amen.

Jeremiah 1:4-10

Psalm 46

1 Corinthians 3:11-23

Mark 10:35-43

—Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006), page 60