[School Mass]We begin Catholic Schools Week this year celebrating the feast day of one of the great Patron Saints of Catholic Schools, St. Thomas Aquinas.
St. Thomas Aquinas is one of the greatest teachers in human history. Yet, he did not teach mathematics or geography. He did teach reading, in a sense. He taught Christians how to read the Bible, the most important book in human history, for the Bible is the book that deals with the most important subject, the salvation of our souls. Thomas taught that the purpose, end, and goal of the Bible is that “the truth necessary for salvation may be made known to us.”
And this is why Catholic Schools are so important: not just that they teach us math and geography and natural science. Catholic Schools are able and tasked with teaching the most important subject: how to get to heaven, how to live forever, how to become the people God made us to be.
The Bishops clarify the mission of the Catholic school, “The Catholic school is committed to the development of the whole person since in Christ, the Perfect Person, all human values find their fulfillment and unity.”
The mission of the Catholic school is to teach young people how to be perfect by helping them to know, follow, imitate, and open their minds and hearts to Jesus Christ, the Perfect Son of the Father. Math, science, language, art, music, physical education, all these things are brought into harmony by Our Christian Faith and put at the service of Our Christian Faith.
In other words, we learn in Catholic School that if you are going to be an athlete, make sure the Christian faith guides your career. If you are going to be a musician or a politician, or a lawyer or a construction worker or a mom or a dad, a priest or a religious sister, make sure the teachings of Jesus Christ guide you always.
On this festival of one of the greatest teachers in human history, Thomas Aquinas, our gospel passage says “call no person teacher, for there is but one teacher.” Students, this is a challenge for you, that as you sit in class, you listen in the words of your classroom teachers, for the words and lessons of One Heavenly Teacher, listen for the voice of Jesus teaching you how to become the person God made you to be.
Teachers, this is a greater challenge for you, as it’s a challenge for me: to never get in the way of what Jesus wants to teach these young people, but to conform our lives to Him through our own prayer and study, that He may teach them clearly, to know Him, to love Him, to follow Him.
Thomas Aquinas was the best of teachers because he was the best student. He listened to the Word of God, he knew intimately, through prayer and study, Christ the Teacher. May we do the same, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
[Morning Mass Homily Below]
Today begins Catholic Schools Week, and later this morning,
I’ll be celebrating mass with our students and teachers. This year Catholic
Schools Week begins with the feast day of one of the great Patron Saints of
Catholic Schools, St. Thomas Aquinas.
St. Thomas Aquinas is one of the greatest teachers in human
history. Yet, he did not teach mathematics or geography. He did teach reading,
in a sense. He taught Christians how to read the Bible, the most important book
in human history, for the Bible is the book that deals with the most important
subject, the salvation of our souls. Thomas taught that the purpose, end, and
goal of the Bible is that “the truth necessary for salvation may be made known
to us.”
And this is why Catholic Schools are so important: not just
that they teach us math and geography and natural science. Catholic Schools are
able and tasked with teaching the most important subject: how to get to heaven,
how to live forever, how to become the people God made us to be. This is
something that public schools cannot do, which is why Catholics need to support
their Catholic schools spiritually and financially.
On this festival of one of the greatest teachers in human
history, Thomas Aquinas, our gospel passage says “call no person teacher, for
there is but one teacher.”
I’ll be telling the children later this morning that these
words are very important for them: that as they sit in class and listen to
their classroom lessons taught by their classroom teachers, they need to listen
for the words and voice of the One Heavenly Teacher, listen for the voice of
Jesus teaching you how to become the person God made you to be.
And I’ll tell the teachers that there is a greater lesson
for them, a challenge for them, as it’s a challenge for me: to never get in the
way of what Jesus wants to teach these young people, but to conform our lives
to Him through our own prayer and study, that He may teach them clearly, to
know Him, to love Him, to follow Him.
Thomas Aquinas was the best of teachers because he was the
best student. He listened to the Word of God, he knew intimately, through
prayer and study, Christ the Teacher. May we do the same, for the glory of God
and salvation of souls.
That all Church leaders will faithfully proclaim Christ’s
love and truth to the world.
That our parish families and the families of all of our
school children will be places where the Christian faith is believed, followed,
taught, and cherished.
For the students, teachers, staff, and alumni of St. Ignatius
School and all of our Catholic Schools.
For the sick and suffering among us, for those who care for
them, and for all of our beloved dead, especially X, for whom this mass is
offered.
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