January 28 2022 - St. Thomas Aquinas - Learning how to think about God

 Prior to the second Vatican Council, men being trained for the priesthood were immersed in the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas more than any other philosopher and theologian. And this is partially because St. Thomas had the gift of presenting a clear and cohesive vision of reality in which God was at the center—a reality which is not only knowable by mankind, but also capable of being expressed by Word.

Why is this sort of study important for priestly formation. Our priests are tasked with helping us understand our lives with God at the center, and they need to be able to articulate this to kindergarteners, construction workers, phDs, stay at home moms and widows. And Thomas Aquinas’ thought is so clear and cohesive, that he helps you learn how to think and learn how to think about God.

If you want to learn how to think about God, read Thomas Aquinas, especially his Summa Theologica. I know many people who like to take a little daily dose of Thomas; like taking a knife to a whetstone, a little Thomas every day keeps the mind sharp.

And keeping the mind sharp is important for all of us. Prudence, wisdom, knowledge, understanding, these are gifts that God wants to give us, spiritual fruits that God wants to grow in us, but they just don’t appear magically. You have to drink from the font of wisdom in order to obtain wisdom, you have to read in order to obtain knowledge, if you have to exert effort into understanding the meaning of things, it just doesn’t happen. 

And when we grow in wisdom and knowledge and understanding of the truth, we grow in likeness of God, who is full of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding—the source.

Pope St. John XXII, speaking about St. Thomas, said before his canonization on July 18th, 1323 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.”

St. Thomas helps us to put our lives in perspective, to see the things of the world and the things of God as they are, he teaches us to seek first the kingdom of God, that the highest wisdom comes from sitting at the feat of God, kneeling in front of the presence of God for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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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. And for the students, teachers, staff, and alumni of St. Ignatius of Antioch School and all of our Catholic Schools.

For the grace to grow in wisdom, knowledge, prudence, and understanding, and put these gifts into practice in our daily lives.

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.

January 28 2020 - St. Thomas Aquinas - Study and Holiness

The Opening Prayer of this Mass expresses the two outstanding characteristics of St. Thomas Aquinas: his holiness and his learning.

His great contribution to the Church is of course is writings, among many are his Catena Aurea written to help the clergy better understand the word of God, his Summa contra Gentiles, written to correct the errors of non-believers, and of course, his famous Summa Theologiae, which deals with the whole of Catholic Theology.

All seminarians preparing for the priesthood become very familiar with his writings and thought, and I know many people who like to take a little daily dose of Thomas, like taking a knife to a whetstone, a little Thomas every day keeps the mind sharp.

At the Council of Trent two books were situated in a place of honor, that their wisdom might guide the deliberations of the Fathers: the Sacred Scriptures and the Summa Theologica of Thomas Aquinas. His writings have infused the life of the Church for centuries.

G.K. Chesterton wrote a brilliant biography of Thomas Aquinas. And he begins the biography comparing Thomas with St. Francis of Assisi. In spite of their obvious contrasts, he says, “they were really doing the same thing. One of them was doing it in the world of the mind, the other was doing it in the world of the worldly… They were doing the same great work; one in the study, the other in the street.”

Like Francis, Thomas was a truly holy soul. At the end of a life totally dedicated to the ministry of the word, nourished by prayer, mortification, and study, while praying before a crucifix, a voice asked Thomas what reward he wanted for his labors.  He replied: “None but yourself, O Lord.”  Non Nisi Te, Domine. None but yourself, O Lord. What would you or I ask for?

In 1880 Pope Leo XIII declared Thomas patron of Catholic schools. So we certainly ask St. Thomas to intercede for our young ones, and for the whole Church, the school of Christ. May the prayers and holy example of Thomas Aquinas increase our love of study of sacred doctrine and our zeal for holiness for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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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.

November 15 2018 - St. Albert the Great - Deeper Knowledge and Love of God

Saint Albert the Great  was considered the most learned man of his time, the 13th century, and, he was the teacher of the greatest theologian of all time, Saint Thomas Aquinas.

Recall the words of this morning’s opening prayer, “O God, who made the Bishop Saint Albert great by his joining of human wisdom to divine faith.”  God makes all the Saints great in holiness, by raising their human virtues to heroic levels. In the saint, the human intellect, human compassion, virtues like prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance which the wise of every age have sought to develop, are made raised to a whole new level through grace, through faith.

This is one reason why all the saints are our teachers. They show us by their example what is possible when a life is united to God. St. Albert, in particular, is one of only 33 people in human history known as a doctor of the Catholic Church—doctor, coming from the Latin word meaning “Learned One”.  He is “learned” not simply intellectually, but in the ways of Christ.

The proper reading from the book of Sirach spoke of how those who fear the Lord, that should be all of us, shall be nourished with the bread of understanding and given the water of learning to drink. Our minds should crave understanding and learning like our bodies crave food and water. Catholics should always be engaged in some kind of intellectual formation.  Now, you don’t have to sit by the fireside every day with Saint Thomas Aquinas’ Summa Theologica, though you can get it for free on your Kindle!  Though it certainly couldn’t hurt, no one will sharpen the mind like St. Thomas. Nor is learning supposed to replace our daily prayer, but daily learning is our way of life...that's what it means to be a disciple--a learner of the way of Christ.

But understanding and learning about our faith, about the scriptures, about the lives of the saints, musn’t end when our grade school catechesis ends. Minds that don’t crave learning like the body craves bread and water, have perhaps been dulled by too much tv, video games, or nonsense.
Albert was called “the Great” even during his lifetime by his contemporaries because of his immense scholarship and knowledge of philosophy.  Yet, he could only truly be called great by history, by us, because of the greatness of his holiness and love—a holiness that put his life—his gifts, his talents, and struggles, at the service of Christ and his Holy Church.

May the prayers and example of the learned Saint Albert the Great help us to deepen our knowledge and love of God, for the building up of the Church for His Glory and the salvation of souls.

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That Pope Francis and all bishops and clergy will help defend the Church against error, and lead her members always in the pathways of truth, righteousness, and charity.

For the conversion of all those who perpetuate error or set bad Christian example for young people and those of weak faith.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, immigrants and refugees, victims of natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, for whom we pray in a special way during the month of November, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord