Friday, November 15, 2024

(optional) Memorial of Saint Albert the Great, bishop and Doctor of the Church

(II John 4-9; Luke 17:26-37)

The author of today’s first reading from II John astutely notes the centrality of the Incarnation in Catholic belief.  He condemns the teaching that Jesus Christ was not born human.  The fact that the Son of God shared a human nature makes everything we do on earth critical to our salvation in Christ.

St. Albert the Great could hardly but confirm the humanity of the Son of God.  He was one of the greatest theologians of his time and every bit orthodox.  His philosophical model is Aristotle, a pagan thinker who nevertheless has been reconciled with Christian faith without much difficulty.  Albert’s intellectual offspring, St. Thomas Aquinas, remains one of history’s preeminent Christian theologians.

We must cherish belief in the Incarnation.  It upholds the importance of our bodies, principally our works of charity, to our salvation.  By taking on human form, Christ both exemplifies and magnifies what our humanity means.

Wednesday, November 15, 2023

(Optional) Memorial of Saint Albert the Great, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

(Wisdom 6:1-11; Luke 17:11-19)

Ironically St. Albert the Great’s name has been obscured by that of St. Thomas Aquinas whom Albert taught and defended.  Albert, like Thomas, had an expansive mind which mastered all the trends in philosophy and theology of his time.  More than his disciple, he understood physical nature through experimentation. 

Not only was Albert a genius, he was also a trusted leader.  He was elected provincial in his religious order (the Dominicans) and then made a bishop.  He resigned both positions, however, in order to teach, research, and write.  He proved to be generous as well when he left his work to defend his student Thomas against the charge of heresy.

St. Albert is the patron of scientists.  He serves as a model of those who hold that faith and science do not and cannot conflict.  Indeed, they serve each other.  Faith assures scientists that there is a transcendent meaning in their ceaseless search for truth.  Science reminds the faithful that God’s Providence is far more magnificent than even the Bible conveys.

Tuesday, November 15, 2022

 (Optional) Memorial of Saint Albert, the Great, bishop and Doctor of the Church

(Revelation 3:1-6.14-22; Luke 19:1-10)

Today’s reading from the Book of Revelation presents Christ’s letters to the Churches of Sardis and Laodicea. Nothing positive is said of either.  He calls the Church of Sardis “dead” even though it has a favorable reputation.  From what the letter says about soiled garments, many in the church were sinning egregiously. Christ then makes a prophetic denunciation to the Church of Laodicea.  He says that its members think of themselves as rich but are poor in his sight.  He relates to them the famous image of himself knocking at the door and waiting to be let in.

In contrast to these churches of ill repute, today we celebrate St. Albert, the only man designated as “Great” in the High Middle Ages.  As a scientist philosopher, philosopher, and theologian few in any period of history could match his wisdom.  One person who did outdo Albert in his own lifetime was his student, St. Thomas Aquinas.

As much as our works may resemble those of Sardis and Laodicea’s Christians, we are edified by those of Albert the Great.  Sanctity as much as scholarship demands effort on our part.  We must strive to be holy by prayer, penance, and many good deeds.

Monday, November 15, 2021

 

Optional Memorial of Saint Albert the Great, bishop

(I Maccabees 1:10-15.41-43.54-57.62-63; Luke 18:35-43)

A blind man enjoyed telling people that he could see.  He did not mean literally but figuratively.  The people would explain something to him, and he would say “I see” to indicate that he understood what they were saying.  In this sense the blind man of today’s gospel sees very well.

The blindman of the gospel sees who Jesus is.  He is the “Son of David,” the royal Messiah endowed with the gift of healing.  He can take away physical ailments like blindness as well as spiritual ailments like sin.  Restored with physical sight, the man wisely follows Jesus to eternal life.

Today’s patron saint, Albert the Great, possessed such spiritual insight.  He could see that his student, Thomas Aquinas, was a theologian of exceptional brilliance.  When Thomas’ classmates called him a “dumb ox,” Albert said that his bellowing one day would resound throughout the world.  Indeed, there has never been written a more comprehensive, coherent, and insightful compendium of theology than Thomas’ Summa Theologica. 

Friday, November 15, 2019

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.

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Optional Memorial of Saint Albert the Great, bishop and doctor of the Church

(Wisdom 6:1-11; Luke 17:11-19)

St. Albert has been justifiably called “the great” for his many accomplishments.  He excelled as a scientist, a philosopher, and a theologian.  He also won the respect of both peers and superiors.  He was elected provincial of his German Dominican province spending much time defending the mendicant orders from their detractors.  He was also made a bishop with the task of reforming his diocese. 

Albert could hardly have been a proud man.  Despite his achievements and high positions he spent the last years of his life defending his student, St. Thomas Aquinas.  The latter, whose name today is synonymous with Catholic orthodoxy, was accused of heresy for writing favorable things about pagan philosophers.  As one who searched for truth, Albert did not allow the misjudgment to prevail. In the quest for righteousness Albert heeded the advice of today’s first reading.  The Book of Wisdom teaches that great people must not exalt their own power.  Rather, they need to both study and follow the ways of the Lord.

Our minds do not likely measure up to Albert’s intellect.  Nor is it probable that we have his organizational capacity.  But we can emulate his holiness.  We can be humble before others.  We can study and perhaps defend the truths which the Church teaches.  Most of all, we can love God by seeking to do His will above everything else.

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Memorial of Saint Albert the Great, bishop and doctor of the Church

(Revelation 3:1-6.14-22; Luke 19:1-10)

St. Albert the Great established a reputation as one of the greatest philosophers of his time.  A true lover of knowledge, he studied everything from tiny plants to the mysteries of creation.  He was the first European to comment extensively on the works of Aristotle.  In his pursuit of knowledge Albert the Great imitates Zacchaeus in today’s gospel.  The publican, said to be “short in stature,” was long on desire to know the Lord.

Zacchaeus climbs a tree just to see Jesus.  When Jesus visits his house, Zacchaeus proves himself his true disciple.  He promises to give half his wealth to the poor and pay back fourfold any extortion he might have perpetrated.  Jesus responds to the demonstration of good will by awarding Zacchaeus “salvation.”  Zacchaeus and his household become sons and daughters of God with eternal life as their destiny.

We too long to see the Lord.  We often miss him in the sacraments, in Scripture, and in the poor because we become distracted with everyday concerns.  Let us take time to meditate on his presence this moment.  We need to leave behind our doubts to welcome him into our souls like Zacchaeus received him into his house. 

Friday, November 15, 2013

(Optional) Memorial of Saint Albert the Great, bishop

(Wisdom  13:1-9; Luke 17:26-37)

He criticized his teacher (of sorts), Aristotle, and bowed to his pupil, Aquinas.  He resigned from his position of Master of the Dominican Order and also from the bishopric of Regensburg.  He was at one time a master scientist, philosopher, and theologian.  St. Albert the Great deserves recognition in an age that thrives on scientific insight.

It is said that St. Albert is called “the Great” because he knew so much.  It could be said as well that he was great because he never allowed his learning to trivialize his quest for God.  Albert knew how to distinguish the Creator from creation as the first reading from the Book of Wisdom admonishes today.  He knew further how to find God among the many counterfeits that existed in the Middle Ages as well as today. 

Albert the Great offers to us a model of humility, of dedication to truth, and of loyalty to friends.  In an age when humility is eschewed, truth is relativized, and loyalty is often neglected Albert stands tall as a patron to be emulated.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Memorial of St. Albert the Great, bishop and doctor of the Church

(Philemon, 7-20; Luke 17:20-25)

As St. Ambrose is perhaps best known for bringing St. Augustine into the Church, St. Albert the Great is most famous for mentoring St. Thomas Aquinas. But Albert was more than Thomas’ teacher. When Thomas’ orthodoxy was under attack, Albert rose from retirement to defend his prize pupil. In the first reading today we read of St. Paul taking on similar roles.

Paul’s letter to Philemon is a personal entreaty to take back a runaway slave named Onesimus. Paul made Onesimus a Christian. In justice he believes that Onesimus should return to his master. But being a practical person, he also knows that Philemon is likely to whip Onesimus for daring to flee his household. To help his newly made Godchild, the apostle writes a masterful letter of persuasion reminding Philemon that he owes Paul his very soul for having converted him also to Christianity.

A few commentators today wonder why Paul did not condemn slavery. Evidently the institution was brutal in Paul’s time, and there was the realization of how Christ defeated all the powers of evil. But Paul was more concerned about preparing the communities that he converted for the expected return of the Lord, then for advocating for great social changes. In any case Paul gives us example in doing what he can to lighten the heavy yoke of a brother in the Lord.