Aquinas’ Sermon Notes On The Epistle For Septuagesima Sunday

To see many other resources for this Sunday’s Mass (January 31, 2010), go here.

Sunday, January 31 2010 is Septuagesima Sunday according to the Extraordinary form of the rite. The Epistle reading in this Rite is 1 Cor 9:24-10:5.  Very few of St Thaoms Aqunas’ sermons have survived, however, about 100 of his sermon notes have come down to us, including the one below on the Epistle reading just mentioned.  The points covered in these notes can be used for meditation and further study.

THE HEAVENLY STADIUM.

So run, that ye may obtain~1 Cor 9:24.

The Apostle sets before us two things in this Epistle.  Firstly, he exhorts us to run-“run.”  Secondly, he points out the end of running-“that ye may obtain.”

I.  On the first head it is to be noted that the course to be run is threefold [nature, sin, grace].

(1) The first is the course of nature-“My days are swifter than a post” i.e., a runner, sprinter, (Job 9:25).  “Their course is evil” (Jer 23:10).  “I therefore run not as uncertainly” (1 Cor 9:26).

The course of nature is threefold, for naturally the creature runs in a threefold way.  Firstly, they run in serving men-“Swift is the sun in his course” (Ezra 4:34), for it travels in order that it may serve man.  Secondly, in punishing the wicked- “The water of the sea shall rage against them, and the rivers shall run together in a terrible manner: a mighty wind shall stand up against them, and as a whirlwind shall divide them”  (Wis 5:25).  Creatures were naturally created to punish those who rebelled against their Creator-“For the creature serving Thee, the Creator, is made fierce  against the unjust for their punishment” (Wis 26:24).  Thirdly, they hasten in having aimed at nothing, when the creatures, who are naturally from nothing by themselves, strain after nothing.  St Austin asks, “What is the present life save a kind of passage to death?”

(2)  The course of sin is likewise threefold.

Firstly, the course of pride-“He hath run against him with his neck raised up, and is armed with a fat neck” (Job 15:26 Vulg.).  Secondly, of avarice-“Their feet run to evil” (PRov 1:16).  It is said of the covetous, “When thou sawest a theif, thou consented with him” (Ps 50:18).  Thirdly, of luxury-“I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart snares and nets, and her hands as bands” (Eccles 7:26).  As sheep are led to the slaughter, so are men by luxury.

(3)  The course of grace is likewise threefold.

Firstly, a course of doctrine-“I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that Gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain” (Gal 2:2).  Secondly, of mercy-“Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetcht a calf tender and good…and set it before them” (Gen 18:7-8).  Thirdly, of perseverance-“I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness” (2 Tim 4:7).

II.  On the second head it is to be noted that the end of running so as to gain the reward implies three conditions.  (1) we must run cautiously, lest we fall or tumble down into the pitfall of sin-“See that ye walk circumspectly” (Eph 5:15).  (2) we must run quickly, lest another overtakes us, or lest we should become torpid through sloth-“Let us labor to enter into this rest” (Heb 4:11).  (3) We must run perseveringly, so that we forsake not the course, nor fail of well-doing–“He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved” (Matt 19:13).  Patience is chiefly needed to enable us to persevere, and to bear all the troubles which come upon us in this world-“Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus” (Heb 12:1).

(Updated/Corrected)January 31: Resources For Sunday Mass, Both forms of the Rite

Note: this post contains links to resources relating to BOTH the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite (i.e., “the Novo Ordo,” the “Mass of Vatican II”) and the Extraordinary Form (i.e., “The Latin Mass.”  All resources in English).  Concerning the two forms see here.

Correction: In the Extraordinary Form of the Rite this Sunday is Septuagesima Sunday, not the 4th Sunday after Epiphany.  I’ve corrected the links.

Ordinary Form.  Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Readings.  New American Bible.

Readings With Haydock Commentary.  Readings of the Douay-Rheims Translation followed by the Haydock Commentary .

Sunday Gospel Scripture Study.  Excellent!  Online video, 55 minutes.  The Following notations were posted with this weeks presentation: Msgr. Mueggenborg introduces today’s Scripture Study as the Third Sunday. He misspoke. He is discussing the Gospel for the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Navarre Bible Commentary.  Includes RSVCE translation:

• First Reading/Commentary.
• Second Reading/Commentary.
• Gospel Reading/Commentary.

Prepare For Mass.  Mostly short musical and inspirational videos related to the readings.

Word Sunday.  Site contains more resources than those listed below.

• FIRST READING In the first chapter of Jeremiah, YHWH commissioned the prophet to speak to the people without fear. In prophecy, he would be rejected, but his words would stand strong.
• PSALM Psalm 71 was a prayer for the elderly. As the strength of youth slips away, the elderly only has its wisdom and honor. Friends and family might fade away, but God would always be present and faithful.
• SECOND READING In his first letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul defined the Church in terms of what will last: charity.
• GOSPEL Luke presented Jesus as the successful son who returned home. But, when Jesus announced the fulfillment of Scripture about the Messiah and pointed that fulfillment towards himself, the people of Nazareth turned against him. Even their rejection, according to Luke, confirmed his status as the Christ.

Lector Notes.  Provides brief summaries of the readings followed by short but useful explanations of the historical and theological or liturgical setting.  Also provides brief suggestions on how a lector should “proclaim” (i.e., read) the text.  Printed, the content could serve as a handout inserted into the parish bulletin or for discussion groups.  Site includes links to the readings according to the Jerusalem Bible Translation.

My Notes On Today’s Gospel.

Working With The Word.  Connects first reading with Gospel.

Thoughts From The Early Church.  Excerpt From St Cyril of Alexandria.

Scripture In Depth.  Gives a good treatment of connection between the readings.

Sunday Bible Reflection.  3 minute audio by Dr Scott Hahn.  As usual, he does a good job of bringing out the common or related theme(s) of the readings.

Extraordinary Form.  Septuagesima Sunday.  Note that the readings of the EF are not the same as the OF.

Online Missal For 4th Sunday After Epiphany.

Devout Instructions On the Epistle And Gospel.  Contains all that the previous link has, along with commentary, reflections.

Homily On The Epistle.  Prefaced by Epistle reading.

Homily On The Gospel.  Follows previous homily.  refaced by Gospel reading.

Pope St Gregory On The Gospel.  Prefaced by Gospel.

St Thomas Aquinas’ Sermon Notes On the Epistle.  For meditation and further study.

The following links contain outlines for sermons based upon the Epistle and Gospel reading.  The points put forth in these outlines can be used for meditation or study.

God Favors His People.  On the Epistle.

The Three Enemies Of The Soul.  On the Epistle.

The Call To God’s Service.  On the Gospel.

The Unequal Distribution Of God’s Gifts.  On the Gospel.  Note: the text uses the word “penny,” Bible translations may use another word, such as “denarius.”