Homily: January 28 - St. Thomas Aquinas - "Brilliant light of the Church"

Among the great saints quoted in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, after St. Augustine, St. Thomas is quoted more than any other. 

Blessed John Paul II said “The Church has been justified in consistently proposing Saint Thomas as a master of thought and a model of the right way to do theology…

St. Thomas Aquinas is the patron saint of theologians;  All seminarians preparing for the priesthood become very familiar with his teaching.  Even after ordination, “it never hurts to brush up on a little Thomas”. 

Saint Thomas Aquinas is called the angelic doctor for a number of reasons: he was simple like the angels—he had single hearted devotion for service of God.  He was clear like angels, if you ever read Thomas’ theology, you will find he is very clear and understandable.  He is full of the praise of God, like the angels, and he is pure, he is free from distractions and passions.

You cannot read enough of Saint Thomas Aquinas.  And you would have a difficult time if you tried, again, not because it is hard reading, but because there is so much of it.

Pope John XXII, speaking about St. Thomas, said before his canonization that “his life was saintly and his doctrine could only be miraculous … because he enlightened the church more than all the other doctors. By the use of his works a man could profit more in one year than if he studies the doctrine of others for his whole life.”

One of the mottos of the Dominican Order, which Thomas exemplified is: “To contemplate the truth and to share with others the fruit of contemplation.”  Time spent in prayer, time spent in sacred study, time spent in adoration of Our Lord is to bear fruit in our life, and those fruits are to be shared with others.   

The secret to St. Thomas’ brilliance wasn't merely his brains, that he applied his considerable intellectual abilities to the field of sacred science.  His brilliance was that became infused with the light of Christ through contemplation of the truth.  That is why he shines is a brilliant light for the Church 900 years after his death.

He was able to share what he received with a mind, heart, and soul, open to the light of Christ.

At the end of a life totally dedicated to serving the Church, while praying before a crucifix, a voice asked Thomas what reward he wanted for his labors.  He replied: “None but yourself, O Lord.” 

To echo our opening prayer: God made Saint Thomas outstanding in his zeal for holiness and his study of sacred doctrine, may we understand what he taught and imitate what he accomplished for the glory of God and salvation of souls.