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Ø It has been said that St Thomas Aquinas had one of the greatest minds in history. He was born in 1225 and died 7th March 1274, a truly great Dominican scholar and a man of profound faith. His feast day 28th January.
Ø LENTEN MEDITATION
Ø THE CROSS PROVIDES AN EXAMPLE OF EVERY VIRTUE
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Ø In the passion of Christ we find a remedy for all the evils which come upon us on account of our sins.
Ø But the passion is not less useful to us as an example. Indeed the passion of Christ is sufficient to instruct us completely in our whole life. For if any one wants to live a perfect life, he has only to despise the things that Christ despised on the cross, and to desire what Christ desired. The cross provides an example of every virtue.
Ø If you are looking for an example of charity, ‘Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.’ This was what Christ did on the cross. If he gave up his life for us, it ought not to be a burden for us to put up with every evil, whatever it be, for his sake.
Ø If you are looking for patience, you will find it in its highest form on the cross. The greatness of patience is measured by two things, either when someone puts up patiently with grievous things, or when he suffers things which he could have evaded but did not. Christ suffered greatly and with patience on the cross: ‘when he suffered he did not threaten; like a lamb that is led to slaughter, he opened not his mouth.’ That is how great was the patience of Christ on the cross: ‘Let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame.’
Ø If you are looking for an example of humility, look at the cross. There, God willed to be judged by Pontius Pilate and to die.
Ø If you are looking for an example of obedience, follow him who was obedient to the Father, even unto death. ‘For as by one man’s disobedience’, (this refers to Adam), ‘many were made sinners, so by one man’s obedience many will be made righteous.’
Ø If you are looking for contempt for earthly things, follow him who is the ‘King of kings, and the Lord of lords’, ‘in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge’. He was naked on the cross, derided and spat upon, struck and crowned with thorns, and, finally, given vinegar to drink. Do not, then, be attached to fine clothes and riches, for ‘they divided my garments among them’. Do not seek for honours for he knew mockery and beating. Do not seek honourable rank, because ‘they plaited a crown of thorns and placed it on my head’. Do not seek after fine foods, because ‘for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink’.
Ø Through our observance of Lent, Ø You correct our faults and raise our minds to you, Ø You help us grow in holiness, Ø And offer us the reward of everlasting life Ø Through Jesus Christ our Lord Ø Preface for Ash Wednesday |
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