Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, on November 8th of every year, Franciscans all around the world gather to reflect on the life and contributions of Blessed John Duns Scotus, himself a Franciscan theologian and philosopher whose intellect and spirituality have left an indelible mark on the Church and the world.
Born around 1266 in Duns, Scotland, he would go on to become one of the most influential thinkers of the Middle Ages. His early education was in the Franciscan schools, and he later studied in Paris and Oxford, earning the title of "Doctor Subtilis" due to his intricate reasoning and subtle distinctions in theology.
Scotus was a man of deep faith and profound understanding. He joined the Order of Friars Minor, the Franciscan order founded by St. Francis of Assisi, embracing its ideals of poverty, humility, and love for all creation. His devotion to God and commitment to understanding His mysteries fueled his academic pursuit, producing works that tackled the nature of God, the Immaculate Conception of Mary, and the reality of human freedom.
One of his most significant contributions is his defense of the Immaculate Conception—the belief that Mary was conceived without original sin. While this doctrine would not be formally defined until 1854, Duns Scotus argued that this privilege was fitting for the Mother of God, and his teachings laid the groundwork for its later acceptance in the Church.
The breadth of his work extends beyond theology; it touched upon metaphysics, ethics, and epistemology. He emphasized the importance of the individual and the notion that God's actions are rooted in His love. A lasting legacy of Duns Scotus is his belief in the "univocity of being," which posits that God and creatures share a common reality, though in vastly different ways. This notion would influence later thinkers and remain significant in philosophical discussions.
Despite his immense impact, Blessed John Duns Scotus has not yet been declared a saint by the Church. His beatification came in 1993, but the process for canonization involves rigorous scrutiny, including two miracles attributed to his intercession. Some scholars suggest that the complexities of his thought may have presented challenges in the context of contemporary understanding, as well as his positioning within the broader tapestry of theological debates. The Church’s determination to approach canonization with a thorough investigation means that, while Duns Scotus is recognized as blessed, the question of sainthood remains open.
What does this mean for us today? The life of Blessed John Duns Scotus reminds us that holiness can take many forms. He offers us an example of how deep intellectual engagement with faith can lead us closer to God. The fact that he has not yet achieved sainthood suggests that the Church continues to discern and investigate the way we recognize holiness. It encourages us to remember that sanctity often unfolds through the journey of faith—through challenges and struggles, through learning and deepening our relationship with God. On a logistical and practical level, another reason he hasn’t been declared a saint, is due to the fact that not all his material has been examined thoroughly, i.e., his writings having been so numerous, still need to be assessed and scrutinized. This makes sense. The Church will not declare a saint, and then later on find that some of their theology was erroneous. This would cause scandal. So far however, his theology has not only been orthodox, but as stated above—a major contributor in the declaration of the Immaculate Conception dogma.
As we honor Blessed John Duns Scotus, let us strive to emulate his thirst for knowledge and understanding, not merely for
intellectual satisfaction but as a means to grow closer to our Creator. May his legacy inspire us to deepen our faith, embrace humility, and seek the truth in love, enriching the life of our Church and the world.
Amen.
Add comment
Comments