Posted on 10/31/2001 4:12:33 AM PST by Aquinasfan
We can know with certainty that any proposition that is deduced from first principles is true. OTOH, most of the "truths" that we know, we know with probability.
As for whether we can trust our senses, I will be posting Thomas' epistemology later on.
Look at yourself as an example. During the course of your life you have changed size, shape, color, position, etc. Yet you have remained you. In other words, there is not an identity between you and qualities "accidental" to you.
Similarly, you are more than the sum of your body parts. If you lost your arm, would you be 1/5 of yourself? Obviously not. Such an assertion is a category error. What is "you" or your substantial form is not material. Hence what is "you" (your substantial form) cannot be measured or quantified, except in its essential unity.
However, your body parts are not "accidental" to you as are your size and shape. Body and soul or "matter" and "substance" are mysteriously unified. More on this in upcoming posts.
Saint Thomas Aquinas,
Priest & Doctor of the Church
Memorial
January 28th
Benozzo Gozzoli
Triumph of St Thomas Aquinas
1471 -- Tempera on panel
Musée du Louvre, Paris
St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) was educated at the Abbey of Monte Cassino and at the University of Naples. In 1244 he joined the Dominican Order. Considered one of the greatest philosophers and theologians of all time, St. Thoms gained the title of "Angelic Doctor". He had an undisputed mastery of scholastic theology and a profound holiness oflife. Pope Leo XIII declared him Patron of Catholic Schools. His monumental work, the Summa Theologica, wasstill unfinished when he died.
Source: Daily Roman Missal, Edited by Rev. James Socías, Midwest Theological Forum, Chicago, Illinois ©2003
Collect:
God our Father,
You made Thomas Aquinas known
for his holiness and learning.
Help us to grow in wisdom by his teaching,
and in holiness by imitating his faith.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. +Amen.
First Reading: Wisdom 7:7-10,15-16
Therefore I prayed, and understanding was given me;
I called upon God, and the spirit of wisdom came to me.
I preferred her to scepters and thrones,
and I accounted wealth as nothing in comparison with her.
Neither did I liken to her any priceless gem,
because all gold is but a little sand in her sight,
and silver will be accounted as clay before her.
I loved her more than health and beauty,
and I chose to have her rather than light,
because her radiance never ceases.
May God grant that I speak with judgment
and have thought worthy of what I have received,
for He is the guide even of wisdom and the corrector of the wise.
For both we and our words are in His hand,
as are all understanding and skill in crafts.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 23:8-12
But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brethren. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called masters, for you have one master, the Christ. He who is greatest among you shall be your servant; whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
SHORT PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Sweetest Jesus,
Body and Blood most Holy,
be the delight and pleasure of my soul,
my strenght and salvation in all temptations,
my joy and peace in every trial,
my light and guide in every word and deed,
and my final protection in death. Amen
St. Thomas Aquinas
The Aquinas Prayer Book, Sophia Institute Press, ©2000.
Let us pray:
God, Who left for us a memorial of Your Passion in this miraculous sacrament, Grant we implore You, that we may venerate the holy mystery of Your Body and Blood, so that we may ever experience in ourselves the fruitfulness of Your redemption.
You who life and reign, world without end. Amen.
(Translation from The Aquinas Prayer Book, Sophia Institute Press)
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