Homily Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas (2021) “Smarter Than He Looked”
Homily Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas (2021) “Smarter Than He Looked”
Thomas Aquinas was one of the saints who had to fight to follow his dream. He was born to a wealthy family near the town of Aquino. The family was large. His parents sent him to study at the Benedictine community at Monte Cassino. Monte Cassino was a wealthy monastery and Thomas’ parents had dreams that he would one day become the Abbot of the community and advance the family fortune.
Thomas seemed like he was going to fulfill his family’s wishes. But first he went to study at the University of Naples. While he was in Naples, he would stop and pray at the Dominican Church there. After getting to know the friars there, he decided that he wanted to be a Dominican. The leaders of the order persuaded him to wait until he was nineteen.
When his family found out about his plans, they were furious. His mother went to Naples to argue with him, but he ran away to a convent in Rome. His mother pursued him but did not find him. Next, she enlisted his brothers, who were soldiers, to capture him and bring him home. They did take Thomas home and locked him up.
They tried, in various ways to convince him to give up his vocation. A sister argued with him. She was known for worldly ways and the family thought she could talk Thomas out of being a poor Friar. Next his brothers sent a prostitute to try and seduce Thomas. He chased the woman out of his room with a red-hot poker.
After two years, his family gave up and let him become a Dominican. Thomas was a large young man who was very shy. He went to study at the University of Paris. His confreres thought that he was stupid and called him the dumb ox. One day some of his fellow students tried to help him with his studies. To their surprise he eloquently explained the homework to them. They took some of his writings to the teacher, Albert the Great. Albert said the next day, “We call Brother Thomas the dumb ox, but I tell you that he will make his bellowing heard to the furthest places of the earth.” Thomas is considered the most accomplished Theologian in the history of the church.
Reflection Questions:
- Has anyone every underestimated me? When did I succeed when everyone thought I would fail?
- Is there some young person who has great potential, but does not believe in themselves? What might I do to encourage them?
__________________________________________________________Dear Parishioners,
During Lent we will be having another internet series like we had in Advent. Since we cannot have small groups, we thought we would have people join in online. The book we will be reading is called Jesus Wears Socks with Sandals by S. James Meyer. He is a permanent deacon in the Diocese of Green Bay, Wisconsin.
The book is a reflection on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Each of the seven chapters reflects on one of these gifts. We could also say these are virtues we need to cultivate. Virtuous living can help us make it through the difficulties of life.
The last twelve months have been hard. How many of us could not use a little more wisdom, some more understanding and a dose of courage and all the other gifts.
We will have more details about this Lenten offering soon. We will also inform people as to how they can obtain the book.
May Our Lady and all the angels and saints watch over you today.
Fr. Mark