Word to the Wise
Wednesday, November 15, 2023 - Wednesday in the 32th Week in Ordinary Time
[Wis 6:1-11 and Luke 17:11-19]For the lowly may be pardoned out of mercy but the mighty shall be mightily put to the test. For the Lord of all shows no partiality, nor does he rear greatness, because he himself made the great as well as the small, and he provides for all alike; but for those in power a rigorous scrutiny impends. To you, therefore, O princes, are my words addressed that you may learn wisdom and that you may not sin. For those who keep the holy precepts hallowed shall be found holy, and those learned in them will have ready a response. Desire therefore my words; long for them and you shall be instructed. [Wisdom]
NOVEMBER 15 ST. ALBERT THE GREAT, O.P.
[Wisdom 6:1-11 and Luke 17:11-18. These are the scriptures for the Ordinary day. They will probably vary at Dominican locations because of the prominence of St. Albert the Great;]
The influence of St. Albert the Great cannot be underestimated. It is he who recognized the genius of a young Italian Dominican who had been sent to Paris for formation, Thomas Aquinas, and took him under his wing. Albert introduced Thomas to the philosophy of Aristotle and its usefulness in shaping Roman Catholic theology. Albert was renowned in his own day and the title "Great" was given him during his long life, He lived to be 80 years old in the 13th century! He wrote and taught primarily in Cologne, Germany. He was a great scientist and naturalist whose contributions in that area stand out in the history of biology and botany and related subjects. He was appointed, for a very brief time, the bishop of Ratisbon. (The Order has a letter from the Master of the Order at that time, Humbert of the Romans, begging Albert to turn down the job - which he accepted "under great restraint!"). He managed to resign after a couple of years and returned to teaching and research. (I know more than one bishop who would love to do that!)
The words of the Book of Wisdom in regard to those who hold power can be applied to anyone in our church, from pope to usher. With power comes stewardship and responsibility (and headaches). Lord Acton's famous dictum still stands: "Power corrupts!" Albert managed to straighten out the diocese and resigned. His real "power" is in his philosophical/scientific legacy and lives on in the influence of his star pupil, Thomas Aquinas. AMEN
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