Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Contemplata tradere



Today's feast of (my cousin*) St. Thomas Aquinas brings to mind the Dominican ideal "Contemplata tradere aliis" (to hand on to others what one has contemplated). That sounds like something very high flown indeed, but we do this all the time: "Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks." For better or for worse, that's the whole nature of pop culture; that's what is happening at water coolers across the nation. "Contemplata tradere aliis." The whole question is what are we contemplating? What are our minds and imaginations set on?

St. Paul gives us some advice in this regard: Let the Word of Christ dwell in you in all its richness. And then? Contemplata tradere aliis!




*Really! Third cousin (thirty-three times removed. Genealogy is good for something; bragging rights, at least!)

1 comment:

Neuropoet said...

Hey, I found your blog again! I realize that it hasn't gone anywhere :) - but I lost it and for the life of me couldn't remember the name of the link - though it's not like it's hard to remember. Anyway, I was looking again today and remembered the pauline laity link, which is where I found you -- and then I just realized you probably have your blog listed on your facebook! :)

Anyway, I'm looking forward to "keeping up" with you again,

~Jenny