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Today's Gospel + short theological explanation

January 28th: Memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor of the Church
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Gospel text (Mt 23,8-12): Jesus said to his disciples: «You, do not let yourselves be called Master because you have only one Master (…)».

St. Thomas Aquinas, priest and doctor of the Church (1225-1274)

Fr. Pere SUÑER i Puig SJ (Barcelona, Spain)

Today, we celebrate the memory of St. Thomas Aquinas, member of the Order of Preachers, priest and Doctor of the Church. He devoted all his life to the study and teaching of catholic theology. And he did it, while being conscious of the fact he was serving the Faith, the Church and Mankind. Yet, it was not always easy for him. He had to struggle against those who preferred the Greek philosophy —in those days a dazzling novelty— to the faith. But he never submitted his faith to Aristotle, but rather, Aristotle to his faith. His obedience to the hierarchy was absolute and heroic; he offered it his life, since he died, when his strength failed him, while setting out on foot to the II General Council of Lyons, where he had been convoked by the Pope.

He was also conscientious about his theological work which he thought was rendering a great service not only to the proficient, but also to the beginners. In the prologue of his famous Summa Theologica he writes: «We purpose in this book to treat of whatever belongs to the Christian religion, in such a way as may tend to the instruction of beginners».

—Thomas Aquinas humbled himself by yielding to God's will, to the Church and to man's needs; he deserves to be ennobled.