Saint for the day: Albert the Great (1206 – November 15, 1280)

Scripture Readings for today’s Liturgy:

Wisdom 6:1-11 – Psalm 82 – Luke 17:11-19

Note: Since St.Albert the Great is one of our early Dominicans who was very prominent figure of his age his feastday would be celebrated with special scripture readings. Today’s Reflection was originally written for November 15, 2013.

So here I am, looking out over the Pacific Ocean just north of San Francisco. I came here with our novices for a “day away” and a time to rest in the Lord, so to speak.

As I set here on the beach I can almost sense the presence of St. Albert since I’m sure he contemplated the vastness of God when considering the great expanse of the oceans throughout the world. Albert brought legitimacy to the physical sciences when many of his contemporaries thought such thinking went against the revelation of God.

It’s just happenstance that this reading from Wisdom – along with today’s Responsorial Psalm – fall together on this Feast of St. Albert the Great. “The heavens proclaim the glory of God.” (Psalm 19)

 I can’t help but think of the majesty of God when I have memories of my times of being on the Indian Ocean at Mombasa where the water is warm and alive with all kinds of marine life. Here on the Pacific Ocean the water is colder than one would want to jump right into. Also, I have to get used to seeing the Sun SET over the ocean’s horizon whereas during my time in Africa, when I was at the beach, I experienced the sun RISING over the horizon of the ocean!

All I can think is: I have only seen the “tip of the iceberg” when it comes to the wonder and majesty of God. St. Albert was able to plumb all the vastness of God’s Creation and stand in awe – not fear – of God who brought all of this into being. It makes me think of Psalm 139 and verse 7: “Where can I go from your spirit? …If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, … you are there”

St. Albert knew the wonder of God and taught St. Thomas Aquinas to always continue his search for God. Today’s feast reminds all of us to always be searching for God. Both of them did this through their honest endeavors to know all they could know about God. Use this “link” to read all of Psalm 139 as it gives us a context for knowing how great is this God who created all that is – this beautiful Pacific Ocean as well as the Indian Ocean each with their unique beauty and wonder. Thank you, St. Albert. And thank you, St. Thomas Aquinas for helping us know the wonders of our God. Amen!