Years back while listening to the the G. Gordon Liddy show, a caller questioned him on the existence of God. Liddy then went on to give St. Thomas Aquinas’ proofs for the existence of God. As an atheist I had never heard these arguments before and was quite surprised that the existence of God could be defended by reason. I didn’t immediately repent and join a church, but it was the first hole punched into my atheism and knocked a little out of my superstition=religion beliefs.
Prior to joining the Church I picked up a book called the Pocketbook Thomas Aquinas. Unfortunately the terminology of western philosophy was alien to me and I needed a dumbed down version of the Dumb Ox. Since then I have read more accessible (to me) explanation of the Summa Theologica and have grown to appreciate this great Doctor of the Church.
He was also a great hymn writer. His hymns had both theological precision and beauty. Both traits sadly lacking in modern hymns.
Pange Lingua
Sing, my tongue, the Savior’s glory, of his flesh the myst’ry sing,
Of the blood all price exceeding, shed by our immortal King,
Destined for the world’s salvation from a noble womb to spring,
Of a pure and spotless virgin born for us on earth below,
He as man, with man conversing, stayed the seed of truth to sow,
Then he closed in solemn order wondrously his life below.
On the night of that Last Supper seated with his chosen band,
He, the paschal victim eating, first fulfills the Law’scommand,
Then as food to his apostles gives himself with his own hand.
Word made flesh, the bread of nature by a word to flesh he turns;
Wine into his blood he changes
what though flesh no change discerns?
Only be the heart in earnest, faith her lesson quickly learns.
Down in adoration falling, this great sacrament we hail;
Lo, over ancient forms departing, newer rites of grace prevail;
Faith for all defect supplying where the feeble senses fail.
To the everlasting Father and the Son who reigns on high,
With the Holy Ghost proceeding forth from each eternally,
Be salvation, honor, blessing, might and endless majesty.
Amen
Happy Feast Day to Tom of Disputations and all other Dominicans.
