Saint Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church (Memorial)
Their eyes were opened. (Matthew 9:30)
“Seeing” is central to all of today’s Scripture readings. The psalmist expresses confidence that he will live long enough to see God’s bounty (27:13). Isaiah predicts that “the eyes of the blind shall see” (29:18). And Jesus fulfills this prophecy by restoring sight to two blind men in today’s Gospel. Maybe we should make this theme of “seeing” one of our Advent prayers: Open our eyes, Lord. Help us to see!
God opens our eyes to his presence in and around us in two basic ways. First, he shows us who he is, and second, he shows us how to act.
It’s not too hard to see ways that God has opened your eyes like this. Here are some examples of how he shows us who he is: Maybe as you were taking a walk, you felt your hope lifting as you passed by a beautiful flower garden. Or you felt worry slipping away as you held your new grandchild. Or after spending time in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, you felt a new sense of joy or contentment.
As for opening your eyes to how you can act, maybe God helped you glimpse a solution to a dilemma you were facing, like how to deal with a difficult employee. Or maybe you didn’t know how to approach a problem with your son, but you suddenly felt inspired with a deeper courage and trust in God’s care for both of you. Maybe you have experienced a new sense of compassion for someone who has hurt you, and you have finally found the ability to forgive.
All of these examples, and so many more, have the potential to open your eyes to God’s hand at work in your life. Little by little, as you pay attention to these movements of the Spirit, you’ll find your sense of hope and enthusiasm growing. Your faith will deepen, and you’ll become more convinced that you are not alone.
God wants to open all of our eyes to his presence with us. He wants to help us see other people—and ourselves—the way he sees us. So let’s keep praying through this Advent:
“Open my eyes, Lord. Help me to see!”
Isaiah 29:17-24
Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14
Saint Maximus of Turin (?-c.420)
Bishop
Sermon 53, on Ps 117[118] ; PL 57, 361
"He was the true light who enlightens everyone, coming into the world" (Jn 1:9)
This "day which the Lord has made" (117[118]:24) penetrates all things, contains all things and simultaneously embraces heaven, earth and the underworld! The light which is Christ is neither hindered by walls nor broken by the elements nor darkened by shadow. Yes, I say, the light of Christ is a day without night, a day without end, shining everywhere, extending everywhere, remaining everywhere. Christ is day, says the apostle Paul: "The night is advanced, the day is near" (Rm 13:12). The night is advanced, he says, it precedes the day. Understand by this that, as soon as the light of Christ appears, the darkness of the devil is dispersed and the night of sin does not follow, eternal splendor casts out the shadows of yesterday and halts the insinuating advance of evil.
Scripture attests that the day of Christ illumines heaven, earth and hell. It shines on the earth: "He was the true light" says saint John, "who enlightens everyone, coming into the world" (Jn 1:9). It gives light in the underworld: "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;" says the prophet, "upon those who lived in a land of gloom a light has shone" (Is 9:1). And in heaven this day remains, as David said: "His dynasty will continue forever, his throne like the sun before me" (Ps 89:37).