Saint of the Day
St. Thomas Aquinas
Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274) was a Dominican friar and the greatest theologian of the medieval church. His "Summa Theologica" synthesized Christian theology with Aristotelian philosophy and remains foundational in Catholic thought. He was a man of deep prayer as much as deep thought — reportedly told by Christ, "You have written well of me, Thomas. What reward will you have?" He replied, "Nothing but you, Lord." He is the patron of Catholic schools and students.
Scripture Reading
Matthew 7:7-8
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."
Reflection
Jesus uses three images of increasing intensity: a word spoken, a body in motion, a hand raised against a door. Prayer can be any of these — the quiet ask, the earnest seeking, the desperate knock. What is most striking is the universal promise: everyone who asks, everyone who seeks, everyone who knocks. Not "the worthy" or "the eloquent" but everyone. God answers ordinary people with persistent hearts.
Prayer for Today
"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord." (Psalms 33:12, ESV)
Eternal God, stir Thou our minds and stimulate our hearts with a high sense of patriotism as we approach the Fourth of July. May all that this day symbolizes renew our faith in freedom, our devotion to democracy, and redouble our efforts to keep a government of the people, by the people, and for the people truly alive in our world.
Grant that we may highly resolve on this great day to dedicate ourselves anew to the task of ushering in an era when good will shall live in the hearts of a free people, justice shall be the light to guide their feet, and peace shall be the goal of humankind: to the glory of Thy holy name and the good of our Nation and of all mankind.
Amen.
Eternal God, stir Thou our minds and stimulate our hearts with a high sense of patriotism as we approach the Fourth of July. May all that this day symbolizes renew our faith in freedom, our devotion to democracy, and redouble our efforts to keep a government of the people, by the people, and for the people truly alive in our world.
Grant that we may highly resolve on this great day to dedicate ourselves anew to the task of ushering in an era when good will shall live in the hearts of a free people, justice shall be the light to guide their feet, and peace shall be the goal of humankind: to the glory of Thy holy name and the good of our Nation and of all mankind.
Amen.
Amen.