2 September 2021
Thursday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time
St. Paul asks the Colossians to grow constantly in their knowledge of God (in scientia Dei, τῇ ἐπιγνώσει τοῦ θεοῦ) (Col 1:10). There are many ways that we can grow in this sort of knowledge. For example, by studying creation, we can learn about the creator. St. Ignatius Loyola used to spend time looking at the stars, which indicated to him something of God’s greatness. Another way to learn about God is to study theology, especially the works of the great theologians. St. Ignatius Loyola studied theology at the University of Paris, and he praised theologians such as St. Augustine, St. Jerome, St. Gregory the Great (whose feast is tomorrow), St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Bonaventure.
In addition to these types of knowledge, there is also the knowledge of God that comes from the spiritual life, from mystical experience. God chooses to give this mystical knowledge only to certain souls. Some of these souls forsake the world and enter a monastery in order to seek God alone. Other souls choose to remain in the world. Mystical knowledge of God can be received in monasteries and churches. It can also be found in our everyday lives. The experiences of the saints leave us no doubt about it. We must all seek to grow constantly in our knowledge of God. May we have the grace to learn the lessons that he is preparing for us.