For years, I wanted to read the Summa Theologicae, but couldn’t because of all my spiritual struggles I was dealing with, that most of you know well on here. Now though, I’m finally at state where, not only can I finally start reading the Summa Theologicae, I actually need to read for some plans I have for the very near future, which I won’t get into on here now. So now I’m reading that as well as Peter Kreeft’s Summa of the Summa, to gather knowledge quicker. Has anyone else read the Summa Theologicae, or had sort of an experience like this where they wanted read a great Catholic work, but had to put it aside to deal with more pressing spiritual needs?
I read Summa of the Summa, but it was still a difficult read. I'm glad that I did it though and will likely read the full Summa at some point later. My recommendation (which I didn't follow) is to try to get comfortable with some of the glossary terms at the beginning. Nothing that Aquinas says is really that complex, but the wording is ancient and I found myself reading the same paragraph 3 times or more on some occasions. In my experience, reading Aquinas is kind of like working out.... It's not always pleasant while you're doing it, but you're glad after you've read it.
