In searching through my blogs, I note that I have never written about St. Thomas Aquinas. Perhaps that is because as a Franciscan, my theological training was not so much Thomistic as it was Bonaventurian. St. Bonaventure and St. Thomas, both scholastic theologians and Doctors of the Church, are complementary theologians whose writings are essential in the education of priests and deacons.
The Summa Theologiae is the greatest of St. Thomas’ writings. However, he contributed much more to the life of the Church through his commentaries on Scripture and his lectures and his poetry. Many of his poems became hymns that we Catholics still sing today (Adoro te devote, Pange linqua, Lauda Sion).
My favorite story from the life of St. Thomas is often called “So Much Straw.” Let me quote the story for you:
“In 1272 Thomas took leave from the University of Paris when the Dominicans from his home province called upon him to establish a studium generale wherever he liked and staff it as he pleased. He chose to establish the institution in Naples, and moved there to take his post as regent master. He took his time at Naples to work on the third part of the Summa while giving lectures on various religious topics. On December 6, 1273 at the Dominican convent of Naples in the Chapel of Saint Nicholas after Matins Thomas lingered and was seen by the sacristan Domenic of Caserta to be levitating in prayer with tears before an icon of the crucified Christ. Christ said to Thomas, "You have written well of me, Thomas. What reward would you have for your labor?" Thomas responded, "Nothing but you, Lord." After this exchange something happened, but Thomas never spoke of it or wrote it down. Because of what he saw, he abandoned his routine and refused to dictate to his secretary Reginald of Piperno. When Reginald begged him to get back to work, Thomas replied: "Reginald, I cannot, because all that I have written seems like straw to me" (mihi videtur ut palea). What exactly triggered Thomas's change in behavior is believed by Catholics to have been some kind of supernatural experience of God.”
A crucifix was present in St. Thomas’ cell as it is in the cell of every friar and monk. Gazing upon that crucifix is without question the way to answer almost every question that can be raised about life with God. If God loved us enough to die for us, the only fitting response any human being can offer is a heart full of loving obedience to God’s will in our lives. St. Thomas came to realize that through his prayer even though his writings have been praised by theologians ever since. Indeed, all human language, all human study is nothing in light of the love displayed on the cross.
Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator