Memorial of Saint
Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
(Isaiah 40:1-11;
Matthew 18:12-14)
If “all flesh is
grass,” then a human being seems not very valuable. Grass proliferates so that it is found
everywhere and costs little. Human
beings likewise are plentiful – now numbering almost eight billion
worldwide. In some places human life
seems readily disposable. Widespread
abortion testifies to this bitter fact.
The Scripture readings today give the contrary position. Human lives mean much to God.
Isaiah refutes the
naysayers. He announces that God is
making extraordinary efforts to save human life. He cares for His people like a shepherd, his
injured lamb. The gospel takes up the
image. It says that as a shepherd goes
after a lost sheep, Jesus searches for people who go astray. Toward the end of all the gospels Jesus makes
the ultimate sacrifice to save humans from their folly.
Today’s patron saint,
Ambrose of Milan, showed a similar care for people. He once had the emperor suffer a severe
penance for having thousands of people murdered. He especially cared for people’s spiritual
welfare. He struggled to keep the people
free from paganism and the aberrant doctrine of Arianism.
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