First Reading II Samuel 12:1-7,10-17 Gospel Mark :35-41

This greatest theologian of the Church was once called the “Dumb Ox.” The reason was that he thought much, but spoke little. (And he was portly.) Albert the Great (his teacher) recognized Thomas’s greatness. Thomas compiled the greatest theological and philosophical synthesis in the history of the faith. He combined the philosophy of Plato and Aristotle (which were thought to be complete opposites) with the deposit of God’s revelation. He used this synthesis to explain the mysteries of faith.
Perhaps the philosophy and theology of Thomas might be summed up in one word: balance. It is a balance between the transcendent and the immanent, between the here and the hereafter, between matter and spirit, between faith and reason, between mystery and knowable fact. Virtue stands in the middle, avoiding the extremes. As we honor this active contemplative, this quiet saint who wrote voluminously, let us follow his spirit of balance – which is sanctity.
Thomas had struggles. Early on, it was a struggle for his vocation and his purity against his family. Later it would be a struggle to introduce Aristotle to the west when Aristotle’s writings had been condemned as materialistic. Thomas died on the way to the Council of Lyons, which was supposed to restore Church unity between East and West.
It is said that, toward the end of his life, Jesus appeared to Thomas and said, “You have written well about me, Thomas. What would you have?” Thomas replied, “No other thing than you, O Lord.”

The weekday readings: The prophet Nathan comes into the king’s presence and tells David a parable. There was a rich man with many flocks. His poor neighbor had nothing except one little ewe lamb which was almost a pet. When a visitor came to the rich man, the rich man stole the ewe lamb to make a feast. David became very angry and told Nathan that such a man deserved death. Nathan pointed the finger at David and said, “You are the man!” God had given David everything. But he stole the wife of Uriah and committed adultery. David repented. Even such heinous sins can be forgiven by our merciful Lord provided there is repentance.
The gospel is the story of the storm on the lake. Jesus is asleep in the boat. The boat is tossed about and is at the point of sinking. They awaken Jesus, who calms the wind and sea. He rebukes his followers for their lack of faith. The parable was used in the primitive Church to show that the Lord is always “in the boat,” and that we should have faith that he will protect us in every crisis. In ancient times, the crises were persecutions. In our times, the crises are perhaps more subtle. In all things, let us put our faith in the Lord.