After a couple of dull and rain days in Nottingham the sun has finally turned up showing its glory. During my lunch break I made it a point to go out, have some fresh air, and enjoy some sunshine. You really have to grab the opportunity before another miserable weather sets in. That’s British weather, mateys!
Speaking about the sun, there is one saint whose iconography features a sun on his breast. That guy is no other than St Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church, Patron of Catholic universities/colleges/schools, and Titular of my Alma Mater.
The sun symbolizes the Holy Eucharist. As the sun is the source of energy of plants and all living things, so is the Eucharist – Jesus Himself – the source of the Church’s life. Remove the sun and plants would cease to bear fruit. Remove the Eucharist and the Church loses its very essence.
It has been said that St Thomas was so devoted to the Eucharist. Apart from writing treatises on the same subject, he wrote the lyrics of several devotional hymns like O Salutaris Hostia, Tantum Ergo, and Panis Angelicus.
There was one story that really struck me about him. When St Thomas has completed his writings on the Eucharist, he heard a voice coming from the crucifix saying "You have written well of me, Thomas; what reward will you have?" Thomas replied, "None other than You, Lord".
Amidst the achievements, honour, and popularity that this man was reaping during his time, he simply asked for the Lord.
If we were in St Thomas’ shoes, would we ask for the same?
***
When I was taking my Masters in UST, one of the subjects we studied was called St Thomas and Critical Thinking. St Thomas proposed 3 important steps on how one can be an effective teacher. I can only remember one – the teacher should be able to defend what he is teaching to his students. Indeed, one of the greatest challenges teachers face is defending what they inculcate in the minds of their students. Imagine the situation would be when a Chemistry teacher cannot explain very well why water and oil don’t mix or how an alcohol could be oxidized into an acid!
***
UST is already getting ready for its 400th anniversary in 2011. It has been an honour for me to have passed through its portal both as a student and as a faculty member. May St Thomas continue to inspire this prestigious university so it can form more men and women whose hearts and minds would seek God’s glory and mankind’s welfare.
Go, USTe!
Speaking about the sun, there is one saint whose iconography features a sun on his breast. That guy is no other than St Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church, Patron of Catholic universities/colleges/schools, and Titular of my Alma Mater.
The sun symbolizes the Holy Eucharist. As the sun is the source of energy of plants and all living things, so is the Eucharist – Jesus Himself – the source of the Church’s life. Remove the sun and plants would cease to bear fruit. Remove the Eucharist and the Church loses its very essence.
It has been said that St Thomas was so devoted to the Eucharist. Apart from writing treatises on the same subject, he wrote the lyrics of several devotional hymns like O Salutaris Hostia, Tantum Ergo, and Panis Angelicus.
There was one story that really struck me about him. When St Thomas has completed his writings on the Eucharist, he heard a voice coming from the crucifix saying "You have written well of me, Thomas; what reward will you have?" Thomas replied, "None other than You, Lord".
Amidst the achievements, honour, and popularity that this man was reaping during his time, he simply asked for the Lord.
If we were in St Thomas’ shoes, would we ask for the same?
When I was taking my Masters in UST, one of the subjects we studied was called St Thomas and Critical Thinking. St Thomas proposed 3 important steps on how one can be an effective teacher. I can only remember one – the teacher should be able to defend what he is teaching to his students. Indeed, one of the greatest challenges teachers face is defending what they inculcate in the minds of their students. Imagine the situation would be when a Chemistry teacher cannot explain very well why water and oil don’t mix or how an alcohol could be oxidized into an acid!
UST is already getting ready for its 400th anniversary in 2011. It has been an honour for me to have passed through its portal both as a student and as a faculty member. May St Thomas continue to inspire this prestigious university so it can form more men and women whose hearts and minds would seek God’s glory and mankind’s welfare.
Go, USTe!
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