Memorial of Saint Ambrose, bishop and doctor of the church
(Isaiah 40:25-31; Matthew 11:28-30)
In the movie “Chariots of Fire” a Christian sprinter from
Scotland refuses to race on Sunday and thus apparently has lost his opportunity
to win an Olympic medal. Then one of his
teammates gives the athlete his slot in a longer race. The sprinter is supposed to peter out by the
end of the race. However, he wins it for
the gold medal. An American rival of the
sprinter’s team sends him a note with a verse from today’s first reading: “They that hope in the LORD will renew
their strength, they will soar as with eagles’ wings. They will run and not grow weary, walk and
not grow faint.”
An event in the life of St. Ambrose illustrates his own hope in
the Lord. Ambrose was the governor of a
large portion of northern Italy. Because
of his virtue, the people elected him Bishop of Milan at a contentious time in Church
affairs. He quickly gave his family
wealth to the poor and lived ascetically during his long episcopacy. As Isaiah promises, Ambrose soared as a
churchman. He is considered one of the
four great Latin Church fathers.
The reading from Isaiah is meant to complement the gospel passage
in which Jesus says that he will renew the strength of those who come to
him. We should not doubt that. When life becomes especially challenging, we can
turn to him with prayer and confidence.
We will set our spirits soaring and our hearts relieved.
