Tuesday, December 7, 2021

 

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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