Page:Ninety-nine homilies of S. Thomas Aquinas upon the epistles and gospels for forty-nine Sundays of the Christian year (IA ninetyninehomili00thom).pdf/189

 charity. These three are chiefly seen in the angels: simplicity in essence, purity in nature, charity in grace. The conversation of the saints is also in these three: “ For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world,” 2 Cor. i. 12.

Our Lord Jesus Christ in these words is commended in three ways. Firstly, from the dignity of His mastership: “Master.” Secondly, from the utility of His doctrine: “ The way of God.” Thirdly, from the equality of His teaching: “Thou regardest not the persons of men.”

I. On the first head it is to be noted, that the dignity of "Master” belongs to Him for four reasons. (1) Because only with Him does truth ever exist: “ Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well, for so I am,” S. John xiii. 13. (2) On account of the power of teaching: “When Jesus had ended these sayings the people were astonished at His doctrine: for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the Scribes,” S. Matt. vii. 28, 29. (3) Because He alone was able to teach concerning all things: “ Ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things,” 1 S. John ii. 20. There is no master able to teach all things save Our Lord Jesus Christ: “ All wisdom is from the Lord God, and hath been always with Him, and is before all time,” Ecclus. i. 1. (4) Because He alone is able to teach the hidden man: “Neither be ye called masters ; for one is your Master, even Christ,” S. Matt, xxiii. 10, Gloss. Because He alone gives understanding.

II. On the second head it is to be noted, that Our Lord