Jesus gets theological in our Gospel today. Speaking at the Last Supper to the gathered Twelve, he preaches on the Trinity, specifically the unity of the Father and the Son. Employing the work of St. Thomas Aquinas we’ll explore the idea of Trinitarian union and how it is possible to see the Father when one sees the Son. We’ll also dive into Aquinas’ argument for different “levels” in Heaven and finish by looking at the first century cultural context of Jesus’ words, a context which reveals beautiful nuptial overtones.
BIBLIOGRAPHY AND RESOURCES
Martin, Francis, and William M. Wright. The Gospel of John. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2015.
Emery, Gilles. The Trinitarian Theology of Saint Thomas Aquinas. New York: Oxford University Press, 2007.
Commentary on the Gospel of John by St. Thomas Aquinas
Mass Readings Explained with Brant Pitre
Verbum Bible Software - www.verbum.com
REFERENCES
Matthew 5:8 - “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."
Exodus 33:18 - "Then Moses said, 'Please let me see your glory!'"
John 1:1 - "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
Catechism of the Catholic Church §1994 - "Justification is the most excellent work of God’s love made manifest in Christ Jesus and granted by the Holy Spirit. It is the opinion of St. Augustine that 'the justification of the wicked is a greater work than the creation of heaven and earth,' because 'heaven and earth will pass away but the salvation and justification of the elect … will not pass away.' He holds also that the justification of sinners surpasses the creation of the angels in justice, in that it bears witness to a greater mercy."