In
Logic we make a distinction between a “concept” which is also known as “mental
term” and a “word” which is known as “oral term”. The oral term (word) has no
value apart from the mental term (concept). Considered in itself it is only a
sound. It is the concept which gives value to the word. These concepts are
formed through the act of abstraction (derives from the words ab+trahare: to draw out) and there has
to be a relationship between the object known and the knower. Without this
relationship we cannot have a concept of an object. So the relationship is a
necessary requirement to form a concept of an object.
One might wonder, has it anything to do with our life? I believe it has a very close
connection with our Dominican life. The Dominican Order was basically founded
for the purpose of preaching “the Word”. It is totally devoted to the evangelization
of the Word of God. We, as sons and daughters of our holy father Dominic,
have the responsibility to carry on this mission through our preaching. The
words we use in our preaching will have no value unless they are preceded by
the conviction. This conviction can come only through the Prayer, a
constant relationship with the Lord. In spite of the best source having
referred, if we do not have the conviction coming from our personal prayer, it
is worthless.
We
are told that Dominic spent the whole night with the Lord and the day with the people.
He spoke with God and about God with the people. The time he spent before the Lord
gave him the conviction to speak to the people. He knew what he was preaching.
His words were so effective that they could soften a hardcore heretic. They
were so powerful that they could convert the sinners and bring tears in the
eyes of the stubborn. His successor Blessed Jordan of Saxony it was said that
the parents locked up their children when he came to preach lest they not be
seen again! Listening to Blessed Saxony the children would follow him leaving
their homes. Such was his conviction that he drew from his prayer. These
instances prove to us “the preached word do not merely communicate an abstract
truth but can refashion lives and society” (In
the Image of St. Dominic by Guy Bedouelle.O.P.)
The
words we preach are meant to give life, because they come from breath. Breath
signifies life. So they should be life giving. Besides, words are meant for others,
so they should give life to others. As Jesus himself says, “I have come to give
life and life in abundance” (John 10:10). The Indian Philosophy also asserts
that the sound just reveals the word and disappears without making any
difference to the listener whereas words have “shakti” (power) in them capable
of having influence on the listeners. If the words we preach are not preceded
by the conviction that we draw from prayer, then they will be as good as making
sound which have no meaning at all!
