Articles
Religious Relics
“The skull of St. Thomas Aquinas has begun a three-week tour of the eastern United States, offering a rare chance for Americans to view first-class relics of a 13th century saint. ‘The visit of a major relic of St. Thomas Aquinas … is a great blessing, and it is especially meaningful this year, when we are celebrating 750 years since the entrance of St. Thomas into heaven,’ Fr. Ambrose Little, O.P., told Fox News Digital” (12/3/24).
Response #1: This, perhaps, is why God did not direct men to preserve ancient relics. Men tend to elevate the symbol and ignore the substance. Even something as precious as the ark of the covenant, once containing the stone commandment tablets, Aaron’s budded rod and a pot of manna, was mostly empty when Solomon brought it into the newly constructed temple: “There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets of stone which Moses put there at Horeb …” (1 Kgs 8:9). And, Indiana Jones notwithstanding, the ark itself has been lost to history, as has the illustrious temple Solomon built for it.
Some 250 years later, Hezekiah attempted to restore true faith in the decrepit, idolatrous nation of Judah: “He removed the high places and broke the sacred pillars, cut down the wooden images and broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made; for until those days the children of Israel burned incense to it, and called it Nehushtan” (2 Kgs 18:4). Note the contradiction: God had sent poisonous vipers among the people late in their wilderness wandering because of their murmuring against God and Moses (Num 21:4-9). Now, some 750 years later, the people are disobediently worshiping the very symbol of their former disobedience along with the idols of their neighbors.
Again, venerating relics encourages a false sense of attachment to and dependence upon an object instead of a vibrant, devoted relationship with God. It’s no wonder that we don’t know where Jesus actually was buried; what happened to the cross on which He was nailed; what became of the burial cloths left in the tomb; etc. Attachment to relics is powerful, as attested by the hoopla surrounding the shroud of Turin which has been thoroughly debunked as the original burial shroud of Jesus.
The article further explained, “A first-class relic is a part of a saint’s body; a second-class relic is an item that a saint used during their life; and a third-class relic is an item that has been touched to a first- or second-class relic … ‘For many who are not familiar with the Catholic devotion to relics, (the tour of Aquinas’ skull) might seem like a macabre event,’ said Little. ‘But it is important to remember that from the earliest days of Christianity, the bodies of the saints have been symbols of faith, hope and love.’ The bodily remains of a saint ‘are a reminder of life totally dedicated to the service and love of God, both physically as well as spiritually … In particular, the visit of the skull of St. Thomas Aquinas is also a reminder of the great gift of his saintly scholarship, which has enlightened the minds of countless millions …,’” (ibid).
Response #2: True to form, we not only have relics being venerated, the Catholic Church classifies them by imaginary standards of importance. This is a human value system and has no authority from or relation to Scripture. Memories of loved ones are preserved in a variety of forms: from photographs to handwritten letters; from recipes to articles of clothing; from a Bible to a birth certificate. In my office I have my father’s coffee cup on a shelf; epaulets from his Coast Guard dress uniform; a plaque from the last cutter he served on, etc. Parents might save teeth and hair of our children, and we may even have the ashes of our cremated loved one perched on the mantle. There is nothing anti-Scriptural about such mementos, for they are not ascribed any overt religious significance. But Catholic relics are for more than memories; they are actually worshiped (see picture). The caption read, “People had the chance to venerate a first-class relic of St. Thomas Aquinas on Nov. 29 at St. Dominic Church in Washington, D.C.” Those in the picture are kneeling at prayer desks.
|
The apostle Peter, elevated to popery without any Biblical authority, wrote of his coming demise: “Therefore I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know them, and are established in the present truth. Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you, knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease” (2 Pet 1:12-15). He further said, “Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior …” (2 Pet 3:1-2). Peter would have been mortified by any attempt to worship him or any part of his body. Recall his words to Cornelius as the centurion knelt before him: “Stand up; I myself am also a man” (Ac 10:26). Peter wanted His words to be remembered, not his body.
Abrose Little further commented, “Those who visit the relics have a multitude of reasons for doing so, and they hope that Aquinas, who now sees God face to face, will pray for us, and that those prayers may strengthen our own faith, hope, and love, so that we may join the Angelic Doctor in eternity among the choir of angels.” Amy Sawka, mother of six, explained the reason for her visit: “I came to ask St. Thomas Aquinas for a little extra help to make the homeschool everything the children need” (ibid).
Response #3: The Catholic doctrine of sainthood and praying to and through saints is without sanction in the New Covenant. It is in violation of the all-sufficiency of Christ in whom God has “blessed us with every spiritual blessing” (Eph 1:3). He is our one and only mediator (1 Tim 2:5; cf. Heb 8:6; 9:15; 12:24), and by His authority (i.e., “in His name”) we petition God. Thus, if Jesus will help us, what do we need Thomas Aquinas for? And if Jesus answers “no,” what can Thomas Aquinas do? Why should we bypass the Son of God for help from a mere mortal?
