Memorial of Saint
Ambrose, bishop and doctor of the Church
(Isaiah 29:17-24; Matthew 9:27-31)
Saint Ambrose was not raised a Catholic. His father was a Roman patrician who afforded
Ambrose a classical education. Ambrose
became a government official and served as governor of the Roman province
around Milan. While there, he decided to join the Christian catechumenate. In this way he completed his intellectual
formation from the perspective of faith in Jesus Christ. It might be said that he was seeking a new
way of seeing reality. No longer would people
be objects with only utilitarian value. As
a Christian, he would see them as images of the Creator worthy of respect and
love. Ambrose’s new way of seeing
parallels the new sight Jesus gives to the two blind men in today’s gospel. These cures are significant because they
fulfill Isaiah’s prophecy in the first reading.
Isaiah prophesizes that in the fullness of time blind
persons would no longer live in darkness.
Jesus again provides this blessing.
But his cures of blindness do not stop there as if seeing sunrays were the
epitome of human desire. More
importantly, Jesus confirms the faith of the blind men in him as Lord. This gift moves them beyond the challenges of
life to the road to eternal happiness.
Like Ambrose we believe in order to see. That is, we accept the truths of faith so
that we can have a rightful understanding of the world. We need not fear that faith conflicts with
science as secularists say. The two --
faith and science -- cover different realms of being and are compatible. Belief even aids research as it provides scientists
with increased motivation. Faith-filled
scientists do their research not just to make a living and to develop knowledge
but for a higher purpose. They fulfill
the human task of praising the Creator by discovering the wonder of His work.
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