The Creatures are the Scriptures of God.

Homily of St. Thomas Aquinas(Abridged Version) Second Sunday in Advent (From the Epistle) “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning.” – Rom. 15:4.

The Apostle has taught us on the preceding Sunday to arise from the dead; on this day he teaches us towards why we ought to, for the Scripture, which our heavenly Master has given for us, is to be studied and read. And the Lord as a good Master was more solitous to provide us with the best writings, that He might make us perfectly instructed. These writings comprises of two books – that is to say, the Book of Creation and the Book of Scripture. And of the things to be known, four things are to be taught. First, is that there is a God. Secondly, that this God is one. Thirdly, that is God is triune. Fourthly, that He is the highest good. The world itself teaches that it is His work, For Wis.13:5; “from the greatness and beauty of the creature, the Creator is seen.” Since they are one and are preserved in the same manner, they teach the Unity of God; for if there are many Gods, the world would have been destroyed, since division is the cause of destruction. Because all things are good, they teach that He is the highest goodness through whom so many things proceed. According to St. Augustine it is a great token of goodness that every creature conceives itself to be good; therefore, because God is good; so are we.

Actions To Be Done God is to be obeyed, loved, feared and praised. Of the first, Obedience. We ought to obey God, for all things serve Him. Nothing among God’s creature does the Creator find disobedient, save the sinner and the devil. Of the second, Love. God teaches us to love Him by His benefits and gifts which He shows us daily. Of the third, Fear. We see that all things are prepared to punish those that rebel against their Creator. Of the fourth, Praise. For all this praise God, since every creature invites us to His praising. St. Augustine says that it is wonderful that man does not always praise God, since every creature invites us to praise Him. And this is so plain that all His creatures become scriptures of God, teaching us that there are four things to be known, as well as four commands to be performed.