The theologian St. Thomas Aquinas, O.P., in his Summa Theologica, wrote:
“…it is better to enlighten than merely to shine.”
Is it possible to do both: enlighten and shine?
What did Aquinas have in mind and heart when he made the distinction between those who “merely shine” and those who share the hard-earned fruits of their experience and wisdom for the wellbeing of others (or all)?
And why is it actually relevant — more than we might think — now?
This theme spiraled back up in recent days and weeks in several conversations about “spiritual bypassing” and “spiritual entertainment” (or spiritual consumerism) and their contrasts.
Here’s the original musing: Is It Better to Enlighten Than to Shine?
What’s your sense?
Big Love,
Featured image credit: Spiral Path in Stained Glass. Public domain image courtesy of Pixabay.