Extract

“The wicked man writhes in pain all his days, through all the years that are laid up for the ruthless. Terrifying sounds are in his ears; in prosperity the destroyer will come upon him. Because he has stretched forth his hand against God, and bids defiance to the Almighty, running stubbornly against him with a thick-bossed shield; because he has covered his face with his fat, and gathered fat upon his loins, and has lived in desolate cities, in houses which no man should inhabit, which were destined to become heaps of ruins; he will not be rich, and his wealth will not endure, nor will he strike root in the earth; he will not escape from darkness; the flame will dry up his shoots, and his blossom will be swept away by the wind” (Job 15, vv. 20-21, 25-30). By “the prophet” Thomas is referring to Job, not Eliphaz, whose speech happens to be recorded in the prophet’s book. [125] The Vulgate of Job 23:17 reads: Non enim perii propter imminentes tenebras, nec faciem meam operuit caligo, “For I have not perished because of the darkness that hangs over me, neither hath the mist covered my face.” Thomas cites the verse as follows: Non operuit faciem meam caligo, “Darkness has not covered my face.” The RSV renders the verse not as a negation but as an affirmation: “I am hemmed in by darkness, and thick darkness covers my face.” Notes in the RSV indicate manuscript support for either reading. [126] “And now, O Lord, I have turned my eyes and my face toward thee” (Tob. 3:12, RSV). From the prayer of Sarah, daughter of Raguel, future wife of Tobias. [127] “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Lk. 11:13, RSV). [128] Thomas sees in the Pentecost event-where the Holy Spirit descends upon the apostles precisely as gathered together, not as isolated individuals-a model of the relationship between love and service of God, and the love and service of neighbor. The Spirit is given from above to those who are attentive to the needs of their fellow Christians and fellow men. [129] The Vulgate (1 Kings 1:18 = 1 Sam. 1:18) reads: Et abiit mulier in viam suam, et comedit, vultusque illius non sunt amplius in diversa mutati. The RSV renders the last phrase “and her countenance was no longer sad.” The point Thomas seems to be making is that a person who is totally shaken up, tossed this way and that-due to sadness or any other cause-is not living resolutely by the Holy Spirit, who makes one endure hardships in a spirit of fortitude. Hence the verse from Job about lifting up one’s face with confidence, being secure and not being afraid, and the verse about the Apostles waiting as they were commanded to do, even though it may have been difficult for them to wait. [130] In fact, Acts 1:4; but cf. Lk. 24:49. The point Aquinas is making is this: the Apostles were told to wait patiently for the coming of the promised Spirit, that is, to be stable and to stand firm until God fulfilled His promise. [131] The text with a customary formulaic phrase: “We shall ask the Lord.” The sentence would have been completed in a manner like the one suggested. Visit: prayerscircle.com