The Humility of Thomas Aquinas, Great Theologian

 January 28, 2017

Ordinary Time – Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas

“Straw, all straw,” Thomas Aquinas is reputed to have said on his deathbed, referring to all of his great theological works.

His was a great mind. Creator of the Summa Theologica, the great synthesis of Greek and Christian thought, his works have been studied and quoted by every generation of theologians since then, required reading for all seminarians. Yet he recognized in the face of death, when preparing to meet his God, that it was all for naught.

Our big words and big deeds whereby we puff ourselves up in this life, are as nothing in the next, as compared to the greatness of God. God is so much bigger than our words and deeds.

It takes a truly great saint, amidst the world’s acclaim, to be able to recognize this.

Where is the wise one? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made the wisdom of the world foolish?      1 Corinthians 1:20

This post is part of a series of reflections on the Church year.   Click here to follow blog