Thomas Proposes a Toast: The Festive Joy of Honoring God | Fr. Dominic Verner, O.P.
Oct 3, 2024
auto_awesome
Fr. Dominic Verner, O.P. is a knowledgeable priest and scholar with a fascinating background in engineering and philosophy. He explores the ritual of toasting as a way to honor God, drawing on St. Thomas Aquinas's insights. The significance of the Eucharist is discussed as a profound means of adoration and connection with Christ. Fr. Verner emphasizes the importance of recognizing the sacredness in each individual, encouraging listeners to nurture relationships founded on respect and love while acknowledging the divine spark in others.
Fr. Dominic Verner highlights the importance of doxologies in St. Thomas Aquinas's works, emphasizing that theological understanding intertwines with the glorification of God.
The podcast discusses God's desire for glory as a reflection of His goodness, encouraging believers that glorifying Him enhances their joy and fulfillment.
Deep dives
The Importance of Doxologies in Theology
The conversation emphasizes the significance of doxologies in the works of St. Thomas Aquinas, particularly as expressions of praise and glory to God. Each of St. Thomas's major texts concludes with statements of respect and honor, showcasing his dedication to offering everything he writes as a prayer to God. For example, in the Summa Contra Gentiles, he often finishes chapters with phrases that acknowledge God's beatitude and eternal glory. This practice highlights the integral relationship between theology and worship, reminding readers that understanding God’s nature is inherently tied to glorifying Him.
God's Desire for Glory and Our Role
The discussion addresses the paradoxical nature of God's desire for glory, explaining that it is not out of need, but rather a reflection of His goodness and love. God seeks glory from us so that we may engage in a true relationship with Him, recognizing our actions can honor Him. Moreover, it's pointed out that our joy and fulfillment stem from knowing and glorifying God, indicating that glorifying Him ultimately benefits humanity. St. Paul’s teachings serve as a guide for this relationship, encouraging believers to act in ways that reflect God’s glory in their lives.
Living Out Glory Through Action and Community
The episode concludes by exploring how believers can give glory to God through their actions and relationships, reflecting His mission in their daily lives. Emphasizing the transformative power of the Eucharist, it discusses how receiving Communion unites individuals with Christ, empowering them to act in His name. By participating in acts of charity and standing up for others, believers bring Christ's glory into the world. The idea of seeing each other as potential vessels of glory serves as a reminder that every interaction holds the possibility of revealing God's love and grace.
Fr. Dominic Verner discusses the significance of glorifying God through prayer, particularly the "Glory Be" and Eucharistic adoration. He emphasizes that God desires glory not for His own sake, but for our benefit and joy in knowing Him. The talk concludes by highlighting the importance of recognizing Christ's presence in others and acting in His name, thereby participating in God's mission and glorifying Him through our actions.
This lecture was given on March 9th, 2024, at Our Lady of Corpus Christi Retreat Center.
After earning a B.S. in electrical engineering from Purdue University and an M.A. in philosophical studies from Mount St. Mary's University, Fr. Dominic Verner, O.P. entered the Order of Preachers and was ordained to the priesthood in 2016. He has an S.T.L. from the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception and a Ph.D. in moral theology/Christian ethics from the University of Notre Dame, where he wrote his dissertation "Saving Honor: A Thomistic Ethics of Honor." He joined the Theology Faculty at Providence College as an Assistant Professor in the Fall of 2022. His research and teaching interests especially concern Thomistic moral theory and the role that honor, friendship, and glory play in practical reason and the quest for beatitude. Fr. Verner is Assistant Professor of Theology at Providence College in Providence, RI.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode