Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Friday of the First Week of Advent
Biographical Information about St. Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church[1]
Readings for Friday of the First Week of Advent[2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Isaiah 29:17-24
This selection from Isaiah is probably a proverb of redemption. We see the language of messianic hope as the oracle sees a time when unjust rulers will be cast down and those who perjure themselves making false accusations (“…those whose mere word condemns a man”) will be discredited. God who redeemed Abraham (by converting him from idol worship) will save all of the faithful through the messiah.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
This passage from Psalm 27 captures the two major themes of the song, hope in God’s mercy and complete trust in his goodness.
Gospel Matthew 9:27-31
The two blind men in this selection from St. Matthew’s Gospel address Jesus with his messianic title “Son of David”. The Lord proceeds to respond to that title fulfilling a major part of the predictive prophecies about the Messiah by causing the blind to see. This event is seen as fulfilling the oracle of Isaiah just proclaimed in the first reading.
Reflection:
The very strong link between the prophecy of Isaiah concerning the redemption that flows from the Messiah and Matthew’s Gospel seeing that prophecy fulfilled leads us to recall part of the celebration that started each of us on the path of faith. In our Baptismal ceremony there is a prayer called the Ephphatha. Ephphatha is from the Aramaic and it means “be open” or “open”. In sacred scripture it is the word spoken by Christ when he cured the deaf mute along the Sea of Galilee (see Mark 7:31 ff).
The prayer used as the celebrant touches the ears and mouth of the person during the Baptismal rite bearing that name is:
“The Lord Jesus made the deaf hear and the dumb speak. May he soon touch your ears to receive his word, and your mouth to proclaim his faith, to the praise and glory of God the Father. Amen”
This little rite does not deal with the blind regaining their sight but it is another part of the messianic prophecy. It too deals with a person’s ability to perceive the world and understand what is taking place. These cures become a metaphor for our entire faith journey. How can we see the wonders of the Lord if our eyes are blind to the works of his hand? How can we hear the choirs of angels singing loud hosannas if our ears are closed to the Word of God? Even if we see and hear the wonders of God’s power and glory, how can we tell others if we are mute?
The blind can see, the deaf can hear, and the mute sing the praises of God. These events do not necessarily deal with the cure of physical defects but spiritual handicaps. And the spiritual handicaps are not limited to a few, but are common, even among those who call themselves Christian.
St. Ambrose is called the "Honey Tongued Doctor," because of his speaking and preaching ability. We ask for some part of that gift as well as we pray for clear sight so we can see the Lord more plainly and that our ears to be opened so we can hear his call to us.
Pax
[1] The picture used today is “St. Ambrose Converting Theodusius” by Pierre Subleyas, 1745
[2] After Links to Readings Expire
Friday of the First Week of Advent
Biographical Information about St. Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church[1]
Readings for Friday of the First Week of Advent[2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Isaiah 29:17-24
This selection from Isaiah is probably a proverb of redemption. We see the language of messianic hope as the oracle sees a time when unjust rulers will be cast down and those who perjure themselves making false accusations (“…those whose mere word condemns a man”) will be discredited. God who redeemed Abraham (by converting him from idol worship) will save all of the faithful through the messiah.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
This passage from Psalm 27 captures the two major themes of the song, hope in God’s mercy and complete trust in his goodness.
Gospel Matthew 9:27-31
The two blind men in this selection from St. Matthew’s Gospel address Jesus with his messianic title “Son of David”. The Lord proceeds to respond to that title fulfilling a major part of the predictive prophecies about the Messiah by causing the blind to see. This event is seen as fulfilling the oracle of Isaiah just proclaimed in the first reading.
Reflection:
The very strong link between the prophecy of Isaiah concerning the redemption that flows from the Messiah and Matthew’s Gospel seeing that prophecy fulfilled leads us to recall part of the celebration that started each of us on the path of faith. In our Baptismal ceremony there is a prayer called the Ephphatha. Ephphatha is from the Aramaic and it means “be open” or “open”. In sacred scripture it is the word spoken by Christ when he cured the deaf mute along the Sea of Galilee (see Mark 7:31 ff).
The prayer used as the celebrant touches the ears and mouth of the person during the Baptismal rite bearing that name is:
“The Lord Jesus made the deaf hear and the dumb speak. May he soon touch your ears to receive his word, and your mouth to proclaim his faith, to the praise and glory of God the Father. Amen”
This little rite does not deal with the blind regaining their sight but it is another part of the messianic prophecy. It too deals with a person’s ability to perceive the world and understand what is taking place. These cures become a metaphor for our entire faith journey. How can we see the wonders of the Lord if our eyes are blind to the works of his hand? How can we hear the choirs of angels singing loud hosannas if our ears are closed to the Word of God? Even if we see and hear the wonders of God’s power and glory, how can we tell others if we are mute?
The blind can see, the deaf can hear, and the mute sing the praises of God. These events do not necessarily deal with the cure of physical defects but spiritual handicaps. And the spiritual handicaps are not limited to a few, but are common, even among those who call themselves Christian.
St. Ambrose is called the "Honey Tongued Doctor," because of his speaking and preaching ability. We ask for some part of that gift as well as we pray for clear sight so we can see the Lord more plainly and that our ears to be opened so we can hear his call to us.
Pax
[1] The picture used today is “St. Ambrose Converting Theodusius” by Pierre Subleyas, 1745
[2] After Links to Readings Expire
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