Epistle of Saint Thomas Aquinas

Wisdom 7:7-14

I wished, and understanding was given me; and I called, and the spirit of wisdom came upon me; and I preferred her before kingdoms and thrones, and esteemed riches, nothing in comparison of her. Neither did I compare unto her any precious stone, for all gold in comparison of her is as a little sand, and silver in respect to her shall be counted as clay. I loved her above health and beauty, and chose to have her instead of light, for her light cannot be put out. Now all good things came to me together with her, and innumerable riches through her hands. And I rejoiced in them all: for this wisdom went before me, and I knew not that she was the mother of them all: which I have learned without guile, and communicate without envy and her riches I hide not; for she is an infinite treasure to men: which they that use, become the friends of God, being commended for the gift of discipline.

Haydock

Verse 7. Wherefore, as I had no advantage over others naturally, I asked for the wisdom requisite to fill so important an office. 3 K. ix. 10. C. — Solomon, whose sayings are here recorded, prayed for wisdom. W.

Verse 8. Preferred. I did not ask for extensive dominions, &c. C. — In Prov. viii. 10. &c. as well as here, some things refer to the uncreated, and others to created wisdom. M.

Verse 13. Not. Ecclus. xx. 32. Matt. xxv. 25. Such disinterestedness deserves to be imitated by all the learned. C. vi. 25.

Verse 14. God. Coming near to him. C. vi. 20. and 1 Cor. vi. 16. The wise do not seek for glory; but it follow them.

Denzinger

550: The Satisfaction of Christ, the Treasure of the Church; Indulgences

CLEMENT VI 1342-1352
[From the Bull of jubilee,
"Unigenitus Dei Filius,"
Jan. 25, 1343]

The only begotten Son of God… “made unto us from God, wisdom, justice, sanctification and redemption” [1 Cor. 3], “neither by the blood of goats or of calves, but by His own blood entered once into the holies having obtained eternal redemption” [Heb. 9:12]. “For not with corruptible things as gold or silver, but with the precious blood of His very (Son) as of a lamb unspotted and unstained He has redeemed us” [cf. 1 Pet. 1:18-19], who innocent, immolated on the altar of the Cross is known to have poured out not a little drop of blood, which however on account of union with the Word would have been sufficient for the redemption of the whole human race, but copiously as a kind of flowing stream, so that “from the soles of His feet even to the top of His Head no soundness was found in Him” [Is. 1:6]. Therefore, how great a treasure did the good Father acquire from this for the Church militant, so that the mercy of so great an effusion was not rendered useless, vain or superfluous, wishing to lay up treasures for His sons, so that thus the Church is an infinite treasure to men, so that they who use it, become the friends of God [Wis. 7:14].

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