DOMINIC’S CONVERSATION WITH THE CATHAR INNKEEPER   Maeve Mc Mahon O.P.

‘DISPUTATIO’

Dominic didn’t say, “You’re wrong! You’re wrong!”

Arguing with the innkeeper all night long.

He searched for the truth, engaged in disputation,

showed him the beauty of God’s creation.

He prolonged the discussion, kept up the conversation,

Behind dark utterances lay illumination.

He listened respectfully to what his opponent said,

NEVER DENYING what was in the man’s head.

SELDOM AFFIRMING his spoken thought,

lest it bring emerging truth to nought.

ALWAYS DISTINGUISHING the points essential

from the details inconsequential.

Dominic blazed a path, cleared a forest of confusion.

Defused a Cathar’s wrath whose illusion

of perfection, to the preacher was delusion.

Dominic, the enlightening truth sought to win.

Veritas at dawn, light bursting in,

Stretching forth into fresh skin.