Do not be called “Master,” for you have one master, the Christ. The Church celebrates today St. Thomas Aquinas who is considered one of the greatest philosophers and theologians of all time. Known to posterity as the Angelic Doctor, St. Thomas was educated at the Abbey of Monte Casino and at the University of Naples before moving to the University of Paris where he met the Dominicans. He joined the Dominicans in 1244 and soon proved to be the Order’s great acquisition. St. Thomas carved himself a niche as the Order’s greatest mind. He was declared Patron of Catholic Schools by Pope Leo XIII. He died in 1274 when attending the Council of Lyon. He is the patron saint of Catholic schools, colleges, and universities; and of philosophers, theologians and booksellers.
Although St. Thomas had an undisputed mastery of scholastic theology and philosophy, he also exhibited a profound holiness of life. He did not allow his mastery of worldly knowledge to come between him and God. While some philosophers would employ their knowledge to prove the non-existence of God, St. Thomas used his to do the exact opposite. Perhaps in obedience to Jesus’ instruction that we find in today’s Gospel reading, Thomas was weary of considering himself a master.
Jesus cautioned his disciples not to allow themselves to be called rabbis on account of their knowledge or mastery of the earthly and heavenly things. Jesus knew that human beings can easily find themselves marveling at their gifts and talents while forgetting to recognize their origin. He was also aware that gifts and talents can puff up men and women to the extent of failing to use those talents for the edification of God and fellow man/woman. To avoid falling into such traps, Jesus reminds us to always remember that the Father in heaven is THE authority on any and everything. Our use of the gifts and talents that God has given us should never blind us into denying God the worship that is due him and him alone. St. Thomas certainly used his gifts and talents to render praise and worship to the Lord and this is the reason why he remains one of the great minds that has ever served the Church. May we who marvel at the extraordinary gifts of St. Thomas Aquinas also imitate his holiness of life. May we never allow our gifts and talents to separate us from God. Like St. Thomas, may we use our gifts and talents to bring us closer to God.