Page:Ninety-nine homilies of S. Thomas Aquinas upon the epistles and gospels for forty-nine Sundays of the Christian year (IA ninetyninehomili00thom).pdf/142



In this Gospel three points are characteristically noted. Firstly, that the infirmity of every sinner is great and manifold, “Deaf and had an impediment in his speech.” Secondly, the means which are necessary for the healing, “ And they besought Him,” &c. Thirdly, the varied benefit that results from his being healed, “ His ears were opened and the string of his tongue loosed.”

I. On the first head, it is to be noted, that every sinner falls under three severe infirmities when he lapses into deadly sin. (1) Blindness, through the darkening of the mind, “Their own wickedness hath blinded them,” Wisd. ii. 21. “ Having the understanding darkened through the blindness of their heart ... to work all uncleanness with greediness,” Ephes. iv. 18, 19. (2) Deafness, through the rebellion of disobedience, “ Who is blind but my servant? Or deaf as my messenger,” Isa. xlii. 19. “ They are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ears,” Psalm lviii. 4. (3) Dumbness, through the concealing of their sins, “ They are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark,” Isa. lvi. 10. “Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth, though he hide it under his tongue,” Job xx. 12. Upon these three infirmities the Gloss, upon the Gospel remarks, “ The human race, as if it were one man, being corrupted by different plagues, is blinded in a protoplast: whilst it sees it is blind; whilst it hears it is deaf; whilst it speaks it is made dumb.”

II. On the second head, it is to be noted, that two circumstances united for the healing of this infirm one, and that they point out the three things which are necessary for the curing of the sinner. (1) The prayer of the Saints and of the Church, “And they benefit him.” “If any man see his brother sin .... ; he shall ask,” S. John v. 16. (2) The reception of the gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit, “ Put