The Divine Lamp

I continue here excerpting from the work Jesus Christ, the Word Incarnate, which is a book by Roger Freddi, S.J., wherein the author presents the teaching of St Thomas Aquinas on the incarnation.  To read the first excerpt, go here.

After what has been said in the two preceding points, there can be no doubt, that the study of Jesus Christ is the most perfect, the most sublime, the most useful, and the most pleasing of all studies.  It is not wonderful then, if the great Apostle St Paul loudly protests, that he was satisfied with the knowledge of Christ, and of Christ crucified: “For I judge myself not to know anything among you,  but Jesus Christ, and him crucified”  (1 Cor 2:2).  And again referring to the most noble knowledge of Jesus Christ, he says, that it is among all things the  most eminent, and that he holds every other thing not only of no account,  but even considers it a detriment:  “But indeed I esteem all things to be but loss for the excellent knowledge of Jesus Christ, my Lord” (Phil 3:8).

Should we not then apply ourselves with great courage and ardor to the delightful study of this science?  And the fruit of our study should be, not only to enlighten the understanding, but also to inflame our will, so that our knowledge may become the principle of charity.  Then indeed will our knowledge be true wisdom, and like to Christ the uncreated Wisdom, who is not Wisdom only, but Wisdom whence proceeds uncreated love.