Gospel: November 15, 2025
November 15, 2025 (Saturday)
32nd Week in Ordinary Time
Psalter: Week 4 (Green/White)
Blessed Virgin Mary
St. Albert the Great, bishop and doctor
Ps 105:2-3, 36-37, 42-43
Remember the marvels the Lord has done!
1st Reading: Wisdom of Solomon 18:14-16; 19:6-9
Gospel: Luke 18:1-8
Jesus told them a parable, to show them that they should pray continually, and not lose heart. He said, “In a certain town there was a judge, who neither feared God nor people. In the same town there was a widow, who kept coming to him, saying, ‘Defend my rights against my adversary!’
For a time, he refused, but finally he thought, ‘Even though I neither fear God nor care about people, this widow bothers me so much, I will see that she gets justice; then she will stop coming and wearing me out.” And Jesus said, “Listen to what the evil judge says.
Will God not do justice for his chosen ones, who cry to him day and night, even if he delays in answering them? I tell you, he will speedily do them justice. But, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
Reflection:
“Science served to help us understand God through his creation.”
Although he wasn’t canonized until 1931, the 13th century Saint Albert was known as “Great” in his own day for his incredible breadth and depth of knowledge in science, philosophy and theology. He was also called the Universal Doctor, given his research into so many fields, from anatomy to zoology, and now he is honored as the patron saint of the sciences.
His method is a mix of reliance on Aristotle and ancient writers, as well as on his own observation. While his scientific method was far from fully developed, nonetheless he isolated arsenic, and declared that the shapes on the moon to be features of its own surface and not reflections of the earth’s topography. It’s clear from Albert’s life that he saw no separation between faith and science.
And yet, nowadays, many see faith as somehow holding science back or being opposed to it. For Albert, science served to help us understand God through his creation. The Book of Wisdom presents God’s creative plan: “All creation in its different forms was fashioned anew at your command.” May our scientific endeavor praise the Creator and be used in a manner that cares for humanity and all of creation.
