As idolatry and divine presence take center stage, today’s readings call us to reexamine what it means to know God rightly. Justin Martyr distinguishes the Word from the Father, pressing his Jewish interlocutors to see that it was always the Son, not the Father, who walked with the patriarchs, appeared in fire, and executed judgment—thus showing that the Word is numerically distinct from the One who begets Him. Augustine continues in Book 10 with a profound exploration of memory and confession, reminding us that we cannot hide from God—even in silence, our souls cry out to Him with longing, repentance, and praise. Aquinas, in Summa Theologica, affirms that the fourth-day creation of the sun, moon, and stars teaches us that the light of truth is not bound to creation—it proceeds from the Creator alone. Together, these readings urge us to reject human attempts to confine God to images or categories and instead encounter Him where He wills to be known: in Word, Spirit, and sacrament (John 1:1–14; Romans 1:20–23; Genesis 1:14–19).
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