Thread 24516819

For Aquinas, the ultimate purpose of human life is union with God. He calls this our final end or beatitude (happiness). But how can creatures so small, finite, and material be united to the infinite, immaterial God? Aquinas provides a rich answer spanning philosophy and theology.

Aquinas teaches that all things are ordered toward God as their final end. Even by natural reason, humans can know God exists and desire goodness, truth, and happiness—which ultimately point to God.

However, natural reason cannot fully unite us with God’s inner life.

Natural knowledge gives only an indirect or partial grasp of God (e.g. knowing God as the First Cause).

Do you even know about the concept of unio mystica?

>>24516819 (OP)
>Natural knowledge gives only an indirect or partial grasp of God (e.g. knowing God as the First Cause).

Union Through Grace
Aquinas insists that union with God is only possible through grace:

Sanctifying grace elevates our nature, making us capable of sharing in God’s divine life.

Grace makes us “partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4).

Without grace, our finite nature cannot reach God’s infinite essence.

“Grace does not destroy nature but perfects it.” — Aquinas, ST I, q. 1, a. 8
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Aquinas explains that grace enables three theological virtues that unite us to God:

Faith unites us to God’s truth.

Hope unites us to God as the source of eternal happiness.

Charity (Love) unites us directly to God, loving Him for His own sake.

“Charity is the form of all virtues, because by it we are most united to God.” — ST II-II, q. 23, a. 8

Among these, charity is the deepest form of union, because it joins our will to God’s will in love.

>>24516827
>Do you even know about the concept of unio mystica?

quinas and Unio Mystica
Aquinas himself doesn't frequently use the term unio mystica, but the concept is present in his theology, especially in his ideas about:

Sanctifying grace: which enables participation in God's own life

Charity: the virtue that binds us to God in love

The Beatific Vision: the ultimate mystical union in heaven, where the soul sees God's essence directly

>>24516830
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6rTZOAYzVg

>>24516819 (OP)
God as Pure Actuality and Infinite: For Aquinas, God is Pure Act (Actus Purus), meaning He is entirely actualized, without any potentiality. He is infinite, not in a quantitative sense, but in the sense that His being is unlimited and perfect. This infinity of God means He is beyond our full comprehension in this life.

Natural Desire for Knowledge: Aquinas argues that there is a natural desire in all intellectual creatures (humans and angels) to know the cause of things. This desire ultimately points to the First Cause, which is God. To have perfect happiness, this natural desire must be fulfilled. If our intellect could not reach the first cause, our natural desire would remain unfulfilled, and thus perfect happiness would be impossible.

>>24516819 (OP)
Foundation of Spiritual Life: Aquinas asserts that "the end of the spiritual life is that man unite himself to God by love" (Summa Theologica IIa IIae, q. 44, a. 1, co.). Love is the driving force that propels us towards our ultimate end.

Anticipating Heavenly Union: While perfect union with God (the Beatific Vision) is reserved for heaven, the soul that truly loves God ardently desires to anticipate this union in this life.

God's Indwelling: Jesus' words, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love him; and We will come to him and will make Our abode with him" (John 14:23), underscore that love is the condition for God dwelling within us.

Abiding in God: As 1 John 4:16 states, "He that abideth in charity, abideth in God, and God in him." Charity makes God present in the soul.

>>24516819 (OP)
Prayer and Meditation
Communion with God: Prayer is one of the most common ways people connect with God. It’s not just asking for things, but developing a relationship. Through prayer, people express gratitude, surrender, worship, and seek wisdom.

Contemplative Meditation: In many traditions, meditation is a way to quiet the mind and open one's heart to God. This practice can help individuals feel the divine presence more acutely.