Welcome to the traditional Catholic Daily Devotional. Today's Friday, March 7th, 2025, the Friday after Ash Wednesday, a first Friday, and the commemoration of St. Thomas Aquinas, a third-class feast with the color of violet. In this episode, the meditation Friday after Ash Wednesday, in 40 steps to Easter. A preview of this week's episode of the Catholic Mass, why music is integral

to the sacrifice of the Mass, today's news from the Church from Belgium, and today's

thought from the Archbishop. But first the collect of today's Mass, O God, who dost enlighten

thy church by the wonderful learning of thy blessed confessor Thomas, and quickens her through his godly

labors,

grant unto thy people we humbly beseech thee, ever to apprehend by their understanding what he

teaches, and in their life faithfully to practice the same.

You wouldn't expect a giant of philosophy to be called the dumb ox, but that's exactly what

young Thomas Aquinas was nicknamed. As a student,

he was quiet, slow to speak, and large in stature. His classmates assumed he was dull,

until one day the teacher, the brilliant Albert the great, overheard Thomas's insights.

Albert declared, you call him a dumb ox, but his bellowing will be heard throughout the world.

And sure enough, it was.

One night a young monk watched Thomas writing furiously, lost in thought.

Suddenly, Thomas flung his manuscript to the ground, declaring it worthless.

That manuscript was likely part of his Summa Theologica, one of the most influential theological works in history.

Why did he throw it on the ground? Apparently Thomas had a vision so profound that compared to it,

he said, quote, all I have written is like straw. Thomas was known for his deep concentration.

Once while dining with the King of France, he suddenly slammed the table and exclaimed,

That settles the manichies.

Ignoring the startled guest, he turned to a scribe and dictated his latest theological breakthrough.

The king simply smiled.

...