Thomas Aquinas study questions

1. Describe Thomas of Aquinas' early life. When did Thomas of Aquinas live? What order
did he join, and why was that scandalous for his family? How was Thomas influenced by
the Benedictines?
born in 1225 or 1226 in the fam castle at Roccasecca near Aquino (between Rome and
Naples)
Young Thomas stayed with the Benedictines for a time, where he fell in love with
Scripture (i.e. Psalms) and learned about contemplative life. As a result, he would later
present contemplation as the highest achievement of the human being.
1244 became a Dominican; begged which unnerved his rich family who hoped he would
be a famous, wealthy abbot at Monte Cassino. Instead he threw away his wealth, title,
and position.
2. What were the tasks and responsibilities of a master of theology in Thomas' time?
In Thomas time as master of theology in Paris, he had to 1) preach to students and
faculty at the university 2) provide biblical commentary (illuminate and explain the sacra
pagina or sacred page of the scripture) and 3) raise and resolve thorny questions from
biblical commentary (i.e. quaestio disputata or disputed question, a public forum for
challenging theology in a lively exchange)

3. What is Thomas of Aquinas' best known work?

Summa Theologica a written proof of Gd in the format of objection and
resolution\response

4. Describe the harmony of faith and reason.

Faith and reason are different fortes which retain their own dignity. Reason helps you
understand the mystery of faith.
5. What is the scriptural basis for the role of the papal authority in the Catholic tradition?

Thou art Peter, and upon this Rock I will build my Church and I will give to thee the
keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. (Gospel of Matthew)
6. Why was the Church of Rome given primacy among all churches of ancient
Christianity?
the precedence of Rome has been accepted since the second century because of the
widespread belief that Peter and Paul were martyred there
Rome was the hub of the empire, a microcosm of cultural, doctrinal, and ritual diversity
not yet unified under a pope but supported by a college of elders
Ignatius writings she who is pre-eminent in the territory of the Romansforemost in
lovepurified from every alien and discolouring stain
Rome BEST preserved a witness and a devotion to the 2 greatest apostles, Peter and Paul.
This devotion ever-deepened in the 3rd century
Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians in ad 96 was a demonstration of the Roman
churchs sense of responsibility for other churches. sent money and advice to churches
in need because Rome was cosmopolitan and wealthy. Many appealed to bishop of

Rome in doctrinal disputes.

7. Who was the first Pope to quote the scripture verse (from question 1) to claim
primacy?
Saint Stephen was the first to quote this (254-257) and with Cornelius helped refine the
role of pope
8. In what years was Leo the Great pope? Describe Pope Leo the Great's vision of the
papacy. How is this similar or different from the current Pope Francis?
440-461
Leos sense of the papal identity is nearly mystical; Peter himself speaks and acts through
Leo, so the Popes rules were considered Christs rules, and to live outside of the Popes
decree was to live outside of the mystery of the Church.
He sees the Popes vocation as a vigilant, strict guide who keeps the church as close to
the teachings of the apostles as possible.
Leo rooted out heresy and strengthened the primacy of the Pope
He viewed Rome as the eternal city which would carry Christians from the fall of the
empire into the future
Pope Francis, on the other hand, sees the Church as going out into the world. Francis told
us to protect one another, preserve creation, and serve the least of the least, those we
think about last.

9. How does the Eastern Orthodox Church view the papacy? What current event surrounding
the papacy was the first in Orthodox / Catholic relations?
The eastern orthodox church views the papacy as derived from Peter, but the popes
thereafter were ignored or denied. The recognition of a council by the Pentarchy (idea of
universal rule of Christendom by the heads of a few different cities) came to be seen as
the decisive mark of a general council, while in the West, recognition by the Pope alone
was the crucial criterion. They claimed Constantinople as the new rome which popes
opposed because it threatened the primacy of the Holy See.
The prime bishop of the eastern orthodox church attended inaugural mass of Pope
Francescos
10. How does Egan describe the contemporary misconception of mysticism?
irrational, spooky, paranormal, occult, psychological issues, altered state of
consciousness, drug-induced state
11. What is 'transcendence without dogma' according to Egan?

spiritualities free from traditional religions. It includes new age spirituality and the
culture of spiritual consumerism

12. Who were the 'mystics' of the Hebrew Scriptures? What is authentic mysticism according
to Egan?

Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Samuel, and other patriarchs of the Old Testament like
Hagar, Job, Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea and Amos

Authentic mysticism springs from a living, dynamic, historical religion and it

transforms the mystics life for good thereafter. The mystic becomes conscious of
new and transformative ways of knowing and loving through states of awareness in
which Gd becomes present in inner spiritual acts, not as an object to be grasped but as
the direct and transforming center of ones life.
Authentic mysticism sees in Jesus death and resurrection its very cause and
exemplar. Jesus saving death on the cross underscores the self-abnegation requisite
for ones total surrender to the mystery of the fathers unconditional love. By
contemplating the cross one comprehends Jesus new commandment: not only are we
to love Gd with our whole being, not only are we to love our neighbor as ourselves,
but we are also called to love as Christ himself loved us.

13. What is the origin of the Christian mystical tradition?

late second temple Judaism provided the matrix for Christian mysticism thru its
protomystical ascents to the vision of Gd found in the apocalypses, the movement
to a canon of sacred texts, and the tools and techniques requisite to keep this
movement alive. (xvii)
By the time of Constantine, mystical was defined as the presence of Christ in
liturgy, scriptures, and the sacraments his spiritual presence this is the
TRUE origin
14. What is the difference between a mystic, a mystical theologian and a mystagogue?
Mystic: leads a mystical life, replete with the immediate consciousness of Gd
Mystical theologian: writes about it provides the theory and understanding of such a life
Mystagogue: leads others in the pursuit of this life (Bernard?)
15. Egan describes Christ as the sacrament of what mysticism is all about. What does he
mean by this?
Christ is the permanent union of human nature with the Edivine Person in the Word
he possessed not only a divine knowledge but an immediate, direct, and unique
human knowledge of the roles of the trinity. The hypostatic union of Jesus human
and divine natures is the ground and goal of mystical life;
Unity with His father dominated his consciousness
Experiential loving knowledge that directed His life
Therefore, to know Christ is to know the Father and this mystical knowledge is
eternal life itself (Jn 17)
****Christ is the sacrament because he is totally united and one with the God of love.
He describes the mystical love as abiding or dwelling in Gd versus dissolving.
There is the mystery of mystical love: two or more become one, but never lose their
individual identities
16. What is the essence of Paul's mysticism? What is the essence of John's mysticism?
Johns mysticism emphasizes the ideal of unity of all Christians. Gd is love, therefore we
should unite ourselves to Gd by the act of loving one another
Once Christ is lifted up he will draw everything to him

Christians who are baptized can enter the kingdom and those who participate in the
eucharist can abide in Christ and Christ in us we abide in Christ mystically thru the
sacraments

17. Briefly describe Catherine's childhood. What childhood experiences were pivotal for her
later religious and mystical life?
visionary experience at 6 years old vow of virginity, severe ascetical practices
Favorite sister died when she was 16 chopped hair and scalded herself in hot
springs
At age 18, became a Mantellata (Dominican 3rd order) who cared for poor and sick
and received direction from Dominican friars.
Age 21 mystical marriage with Christ, 23 mystical death
18. What is the analogy Catherine uses to describe the unity between God and the soul?
she uses a bridge with stairs analogy. The bridge is Christ, and he built two
stairs from the wood of the cross, the third he made before his death
- First stair soul lifts her feet from earthly affecctions and strips herself of sin
- Second stair soul dresses herself in the love of the virtues
- Third stair tastes peace
- Bridge crosses threatening waters of evil and sin to reach not dry land but Gd,
the sea in which one drowns
19. What does Catherine mean when she says that all virtues and vices are carried out through
our neighbor? What is the greatest virtue according to Catherine?
- if you hate Christ, you harm your neighbors and yourself as well (for you are
your chief neighbor) and the harm is both general and particular.
- General you must love your neighbor as your self by helping them
spiritually with prayer and counsel, assisting them spiritually and materially in
their need. You harm your neighbors by failing do pray or help, you harm
yourself, and you show that you do not love me if you cannot love them. This
lack of charity is the source of all evils, for if you are not doing good you are
necessarily doing evil. And you do this evil to yourself and neighbors, you
harm with sin and deprive yourself of grace. You deprive your neighbors of
pleasure of love and charity. There is no sin that does not touch others.
- The greatest virtue of all is charity, and it is nourished by humility (you will
find humility in the knowledge of yourself..[as] from me, for I loved you
before you came into being.)
20. What is the value of suffering according to Catherine? Does all suffering have value?
- suffering may be united with the suffering of Christ if intentioned in that way.
- Every suffering they bear from any source at all, in spirit or in body, is of
infinite worth, and so satisfied for the offense that deserved an infinite penalty.
True, these are finite deeds in finite time. But because their virtue is practiced

and their suffering borne with infinite desire and contrition and sorrow for sin,
it has value.
21. How did Catherine's mystical marriage with Christ transform her life (Egan)?
- her mystical marriage with Christ transformed her from an overly ascetic solitary into
an apostola, a woman whose charitable work brings Gds good news of mercy, love, and
peace to the wider community. She now embraced a life of unusual austerity and silent
contemplate but also vigorous social work for the poor, sick, and dying.
22. What role did Catherine play in the political and ecclesial events during her life?
- Catherine was involved in religio-political problems of Italian city-states
- She mitigate antipapal forces in her region
- Preached in favor of a crusade
- Advocated reform of clergy
- Worked for return of Avignon papacy to Rome
22. Why do you think that Church and political leaders would listen to Catherine and take her
advice?
- Catherine seemed holy and the public supported\admired her
23. Why are the Cisterians called 'white monks'?
- habits are made of undyed wool, differentiating them from other Benedictines
who were called black monks for a similar reason
24. Where and when and for what reason were the Cisterians formed?
- in 1112
- Citeaux 1098, la ferte 1113, pontigny 1114, clairvaux 1115, morimond 1115
- They aimed to simplify the additions to monastic life made by the Carolingian
period, live according to St Benedicts Rule, challenge the Cluniacs
25. How did the Cisterians reform Benedictine monasticism?
- No acceptance of children under 15 years (later 18 years)
- Developed an orderly process for founding new monasteries
- Followed more manageable daily round of prayers laid out in benedicts rule
- Supported themselves with physical labor
- Settled in wilder places
- Workable international religious order
- Every Cistercian house was a complete monastery (same) but these were
integrated into a carefully structured order of several houses
25. Describe how Bernard depicts the relationship between truth and grace.
- Truth and grace are useless without the other.
- Truth without grace is bitter, severe, heavy, and stern without grace
- Grace without truth is frivolous, capricious, immoderate, and overconfident

- Christ is like a faun or roe; his truth is like a roes clear eyes and his grace like

the gaiety of a faun Both grace and truth are found in the bridegroom let Him
enter as a bringer of peace, joyous and glad; but may he come grave and adult,
too, to purify my joy and restrain my overconfidence with the stern face of truth.
Judas received the gift of grace but did not walk in truth, so he let the devil find a
foothold in him (eph 4:27)

26. In Bernard's Commentary of the Song of Songs, describe the two ways he analogously
interprets the love between man and woman? Describe how spousal mysticism is depicted in
Bernard's sermons (Egan).
- Intimacy
o Intimate love between Christ and the Church
Church interpreted as community of believers, and the Word is the
bridegroom of each individual believer
The Word provides the basis of interpersonal and community
relations since all are grounded in the same Word
o Intimate love between the Soul and Christ\Word
The motivation in this particular relationship is not fear (slavemaster), desire for gain (worker-boss), knowledge (pupil-teacher),
respect (son-father), but it is a kiss. this affection of love excels
among the gifts of nature, especially when it returns to its source,
which is Gd. Bernard