Word to the Wise
Friday, December 7, 2007 - ST. AMBROSE, BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH
[Isaiah 29:17-24 and Matthew 9:27-31]On that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book; and out of gloom and darkness, the eyes of the blind shall see.
In the Gospel of Matthew the believer is invited to "see" in Jesus the fulfillment of all the prophecies concerning the day of salvation and the "promised one." One of the ways in which this "one who is to come" (Matthew 11:3) would be manifested is in the accomplishments of his ministry: "the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them." This means more than the physical recovery of the blind, the lame, the leper, etc.. It means a "time" in which humanity is raised to a height of spiritual and moral being that most humans can only dream about. Isaiah is challenging the moral blindness and deafness of the people who think they will find rescue in treaties with neighbors than in trusting in God. Jesus restores physical sight to the blind men who already "see" with the eyes of faith: "Let it be done for you according to your faith." There is plenty to assault the senses in the surrounding "Christmas holiday" period that coincides with Advent! We can become blind and deaf to the meaning of Jesus' coming and to the message that he preaches. If this coming is represented only in the arrival of the "crib set" from the attic, accompanied by the decision as to where to put it and where is the missing figurine by the way, then it is too late. Giving our faith a chance to "see and hear" in this season is the first step toward understanding why we celebrate Advent at all! AMEN
config
view
logs
3840.0 KB
60 ms
4
