Saint Albert the Great, Bishop, Doctor
Additional Information about Saint Albert the Great[1]
Readings for Thursday of the Thirty Second Year in Ordinary Time[2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading I Wis7:22b-8:1
This passage from the Book of Wisdom describes the spirit of God that guides the faithful. The author captures the character of this spirit with adjectives that only serve to show us the limits of language trying to describe what is beyond human understanding. It does, however, give us an understanding of the omnipresent Spirit of God in all things.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 119:89, 90, 91, 130, 135, 175
R. Your word is forever, O Lord.
The word in Wisdom described the Spirit contained in it; the Psalm now describes the Word of God, everlasting in Heaven. The indelible and eternal character of God’s creation is proclaimed in this song of praise.
Gospel Lk 17:20-25
In this selection from St. Luke’s Gospel, the Pharisees ask Jesus to tell them when the Kingdom of God will come. He answers that it is already among them (referring to his own ministry and the effect it has on his followers). To his disciples he makes this clear as he tells them that once he has gone from them he will not be coming back and at the same time he will always be with them (“…just as lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be (in his day).”)
Reflection:
Today scripture begs us to unzip the bag of skin we live in and look inside. The reading from the Book of Wisdom describes the Spirit of the Wisdom, how when it is taken up by those who believe, it becomes a force within us that guides and heals, that infuses us with holiness itself.
The Lord says the same thing in St. Luke’s Gospel. He is asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God (which he proclaims unceasingly) will come. We can almost see the expression on his face when he hears this question. It would be one of amused surprise and he answers; “’The coming of the kingdom of God cannot be observed, and no one will announce, 'Look, here it is,' or, 'There it is.' For behold, the kingdom of God is among you.’”
They don’t understand, of course, unless they are among those who already believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. Then they would see. The Kingdom of God flows into them from the Word of God, incarnate before them. His disciples must “kind of get it”. But he takes them aside and gives them a little better explanation because while they may understand that Jesus “is” the Kingdom of God, they need to understand that it is not just his physical presence but something more.
He explains that once he is physically taken up, that “Kingdom of God” must flash to every part of God’s creation, “…just as lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be (in his day). “
So that lightning flash has happened and the Lord seared his presence in our hearts as the Holy Spirit entered us in Baptism. We refresh it with the Sacraments to keep the Grace (that indwelling connectedness, the presence of God) strong within us. And today we look inside and thank God for that gift that gives us strength to face all things and endure all obstacles.
Pax
[1] The picture today is a fresco of St. Albert the Great by Tommaso da Modena, 1326-1379
[2] After Links to Readings Expire
Additional Information about Saint Albert the Great[1]
Readings for Thursday of the Thirty Second Year in Ordinary Time[2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading I Wis7:22b-8:1
This passage from the Book of Wisdom describes the spirit of God that guides the faithful. The author captures the character of this spirit with adjectives that only serve to show us the limits of language trying to describe what is beyond human understanding. It does, however, give us an understanding of the omnipresent Spirit of God in all things.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 119:89, 90, 91, 130, 135, 175
R. Your word is forever, O Lord.
The word in Wisdom described the Spirit contained in it; the Psalm now describes the Word of God, everlasting in Heaven. The indelible and eternal character of God’s creation is proclaimed in this song of praise.
Gospel Lk 17:20-25
In this selection from St. Luke’s Gospel, the Pharisees ask Jesus to tell them when the Kingdom of God will come. He answers that it is already among them (referring to his own ministry and the effect it has on his followers). To his disciples he makes this clear as he tells them that once he has gone from them he will not be coming back and at the same time he will always be with them (“…just as lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be (in his day).”)
Reflection:
Today scripture begs us to unzip the bag of skin we live in and look inside. The reading from the Book of Wisdom describes the Spirit of the Wisdom, how when it is taken up by those who believe, it becomes a force within us that guides and heals, that infuses us with holiness itself.
The Lord says the same thing in St. Luke’s Gospel. He is asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God (which he proclaims unceasingly) will come. We can almost see the expression on his face when he hears this question. It would be one of amused surprise and he answers; “’The coming of the kingdom of God cannot be observed, and no one will announce, 'Look, here it is,' or, 'There it is.' For behold, the kingdom of God is among you.’”
They don’t understand, of course, unless they are among those who already believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. Then they would see. The Kingdom of God flows into them from the Word of God, incarnate before them. His disciples must “kind of get it”. But he takes them aside and gives them a little better explanation because while they may understand that Jesus “is” the Kingdom of God, they need to understand that it is not just his physical presence but something more.
He explains that once he is physically taken up, that “Kingdom of God” must flash to every part of God’s creation, “…just as lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be (in his day). “
So that lightning flash has happened and the Lord seared his presence in our hearts as the Holy Spirit entered us in Baptism. We refresh it with the Sacraments to keep the Grace (that indwelling connectedness, the presence of God) strong within us. And today we look inside and thank God for that gift that gives us strength to face all things and endure all obstacles.
Pax
[1] The picture today is a fresco of St. Albert the Great by Tommaso da Modena, 1326-1379
[2] After Links to Readings Expire
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