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  Scriptures will vary at Dominican locales]

     

     The Lord is supposed to have said to St. Thomas Aquinas in a vision he had not long before his death, "You have written well of me, Thomas."  I thought of that story when I read the line in today's gospel: "The mystery of the Kingdom of God has been granted to you."  Although Jesus was speaking to his disciples who weren't so sure they understood what he was teaching them, St. Thomas Aquinas was one person who did.  He bore fruit a hundredfold.

     Although Thomas wrote from the perspective of a 13th century academic and churchman, his deep appreciation for the Kingdom of God shines through constantly.  For those who might find the structure of his writing difficult, his teaching is available in easier form in such works as MY WAY OF LIFE, which has been in print many, many years.  As a lawyer, I have always appreciated the part of his SUMMA THEOLOGIAE on law and especially the "new law of Christ" to be helpful.  More recently, in my retreat work, I have found his insights on prayer to be valuable. His point that the desire to pray is the most important thing in our prayer has been a great comfort to many retreatants.

     Although today's scriptures will vary at Dominican locations because of the importance of the feast, the line I have quoted really sums up Thomas Aquinas' life.  In reading and thinking about his teaching, we can be sure we will learn about the Kingdom of God.  AMEN