Take, e. g., that of "a man who, on presenting a leaden…
““Take, e. g., that of "a man who, on presenting a leaden coin, receives, by the king's command, a hundred pounds; not as though the leaden coin, by any operation of its own, caused him to be given that sum of money, this being the effect of the mere will of the king/' St. Thomas, who cites this example, justly ob serves: "If we examine the question properly, we shall see that according to the above mode the Sacraments are mere signs; for the leaden coin is nothing but a sign of the king's command that this man should receive money.'' (S. Th., 3a, qu. 62, art. i.) If the simile is really to il lustrate the causality of the Sacraments, it must be changed as follows: Man, in the Sacrament which he receives, presents a gold coin, which, on account of its intrinsic value, morally com pels his sovereign to be liberal.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Sacraments are signs; their power comes from divine authority, not the material object.
In simple terms: Sacrament signs work because of God’s will, not the object itself.
Key Takeaway
Seek divine intention behind religious symbols.
Themes
theology
symbolism
authority
faith
Mood
contemplative
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
religious
When to use this quote
- religious education
- ritual practice
- spiritual counseling
- interfaith dialogue
Key Concepts
sacramental theology
causality
divine will
Questions to Reflect On
- How does divine authority give meaning to symbols?
- Can symbols hold power without belief?
A Different Perspective
May overlook personal spiritual experience beyond institutional doctrine.