The 60-Second Aquinas
Lesson
On Thanksgiving Day
November 26, 1998
Today is the day when Americans sit at the table, eat turkey, watch football, and visit with family.
Hopefully, on this Thanksgiving Day, we can find time to appreciate what we have and to be truly thankful.
But, thankfulness does not stop there. It is not enough to merely think upon our blessings and say, "Well, sure, I’m thankful." Aquinas says we owe more:
It is evident that a benefactor, as such, is cause of the beneficiary. Hence the natural order requires that he who has received a favor should, by repaying the favor, turn to his benefactor according to the mode of each. And … a man owes his benefactor honor and reverence, since the latter stands to him in the relation of principle; but accidentally he owes him assistance or support, if he need it. (ST II-II, Q. 106, Art. 3)
Today, as you wash down the turkey and catch that game, remember who your benefactors are, and think of how you can return their blessings.
Explanation of The 60-Second Aquinas Lesson
