Memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas, P.D.

Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas, P.D., (28^th January, 2021) on the Gospel and the Memorial

(Thursday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time (I))

Heb 10:19-25;

Ps 23:1-6. (R. cf. v. 6);

Mk 4:21-25.

Tommaso d'Aquino (1225 – 7 March 1274) otherwise known as Saint Thomas Aquinas was an Italian Dominican friar and a Catholic priest who was an immensely influential philosopher, theologian and jurist in the tradition of scholasticism, within which he is also known as the “Doctor Angelicus” and “Doctor Communis”. Unlike many currents in the Church of the time, Thomas embraced several ideas put forward by Aristotle—whom he called “the Philosopher”—and attempted to synthesize Aristotelian philosophy with the principles of Christianity. Saint Thomas best known works are the Summa Theologica and the Summa contra Gentiles. His commentaries on Sacred Scripture and on Aristotle also form an important part of his body of work. He is also distinguished for his eucharistic hymns, which form part of the Church's liturgy. Saint Thomas Aquinas is a Doctor of the Church [1].

Topic: The lamp.

Jesus teaches us in today’s gospel that His teachings are not meant to be hidden. Using the allegory of a lamp, they are to be placed on the lamp-stand for others to see. He goes on to say that the standard one uses for others will be used for him/her and even more. More will be given to the person who knows that he/she has because nobody is empty-handed, cf. 1Cor 12:7-11.

We celebrate Saint Thomas Aquinas today because he did not hide the lamp. He placed it on the stand for all to see. He touched and is still touching many aspects of human existence.

God expects all of us in various ways we can to help others see the light of the gospel. He expects us to do to others exactly what and how we want others to do to us, cf. Matt 7:12; Lk 6:31. Our duty is to take the lamp, place it on the stand for others and using the right standard for others.

Bible Reading: 2Tim 4:1-8.

Thought for today: Use the measure you would like to be measured with for others.

Let us pray: God help us place the light of the gospel on the stand for others to see through Christ – Amen.

Saint Thomas Aquinas – Pray for us.

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