today's readings are Rev. 3; 16, 14-22; Psalm 15 and Lk. 19: 1-10
A man of great intellect and wisdom. A great teacher. A man of great faith. Today the church celebrates St. Albert the Great.
Born into a family of wealth in 1206 in Germany, Albert used the opportunities available to him to study at the University of Padua. Joining the Dominicans while studying theology in Padua, his academic career led him to teach in Germany and later, at the University of Paris.
This was truly a brilliant man. He studied and wrote extensively on natural science, logic, music, mathematics, astronomy, metaphysics, natural law, economics, and politics, as well as learning both Greek and Arabic which allowed him to study the great Greek philosophers Plato and Aristotle.
It was his interest in the philosophical methods of Aristotle that would have a massive impact of the theology of the Church. He believed that Aristotle's methodological approach to the natural sciences and philosophy was a useful philosophical support to Christians seeking to understand God's work in the world.
His teachings methods were greatly appreciated by his students, including the greatest Catholic theologian of all, St. Thomas Aquinas.
Albert is the patron saint of scientists, philosophers, and students. St. Albert, pray for us.
P.S. Dear reader, there will be no reflection tomorrow as I, along with my friend Fr. Ian Riswick, will be leaving in the very early morning for the funeral of Fr. Paul Gaudet, who was part of our ordination class of 1991. Fr. Paul's funeral will be held at Holy Name of Mary Parish in Almonte, Ontario tomorrow at 11 am. Please pray for the repose of his soul.