Optional Memorial
of Saint Albert the Great, bishop and doctor of the Church
(Wisdom 13:1-9; Luke 17:26-37)
The first reading suits today’s patron Saint Albert the
Great. The passage from Wisdom recounts
how creation reflects God, its maker. Because
of this, scientists should come to know God. However, it says, some are so distracted
by the beauty of creation that they misrepresent God. Albert was able to come to the right
conclusions. Excelling as a natural scientist
and philosopher, he ordered all knowledge.
Besides being called “the Great,” he is also known as the “universal
doctor.”
Perhaps Albert’s greatest claim to fame is his pupil
Thomas Aquinas. He recognized Thomas’
enormous intellectual capacity when fellow students named him the “dumb ox.” Albert also defended Thomas after his
death. Thomas’ works pilloried as
heretical, Albert illuminated their profound exposition of divine truth.
Albert the Great has left scientists a challenging
legacy. Following him, they do not have
to suspend religious belief to pursue scientific truth. As he showed, they can come to deeper
appreciation for nature by clinging to nature’s God.
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