'Without prayer we have neither light nor strength to advance in the way which leads to God.'

St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori

The Angelus

The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary:
And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of
our death. Amen.

Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word.

Hail Mary . . .

And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us.

Hail Mary . . .

Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:

Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord.

Amen.

"Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you" (Lk 1:28)

"Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb"
(Lk 1:42).

Matthew
	English: Douay-Rheims	Latin: Vulgata Clementina	Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000)
	Matthew 11
28.	Come to me, all you that labour, and are burdened, and I will refresh you.	Venite ad me omnes qui laboratis, et onerati estis, et ego reficiam vos.	δευτε προς με παντες οι κοπιωντες και πεφορτισμενοι καγω αναπαυσω υμας
29.	Take up my yoke upon you, and learn of me, because I am meek, and humble of heart: and you shall find rest to your souls.	Tollite jugum meum super vos, et discite a me, quia mitis sum, et humilis corde : et invenietis requiem animabus vestris.	αρατε τον ζυγον μου εφ υμας και μαθετε απ εμου οτι πραος ειμι και ταπεινος τη καρδια και ευρησετε αναπαυσιν ταις ψυχαις υμων
30.	For my yoke is sweet and my burden light.	Jugum enim meum suave est, et onus meum leve.	ο γαρ ζυγος μου χρηστος και το φορτιον μου ελαφρον εστιν

28. Come to me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest to your souls.
30. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

CHRYS; By what He had said, He brought His disciples to have a desire towards Him, showing them His unspeakable excellence; and now He invites them to Him, saying, Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden.

AUG; Whence do we all thus labor, but that we are mortal men, bearing vessels of clay which cause us much difficulty. But if the vessels of flesh are straitened, the regions of love will be enlarged. To what end then does He say, Come to me, all you who labor, but that you should not labor?

HILARY; He calls to Him those that were laboring under the hardships of the Law, and those who are burdened with the sins of this world.

JEROME; That the burden of sin is heavy, the Prophet Zachariah bears witness, saying, that wickedness sits upon a talent of lead. And the Psalmist fills it up, your iniquities are grown heavy upon me.

GREG; For a cruel yoke and hard weight of servitude it is to be subject to the things of time, to be ambitious of the things of earth, to cling to falling things, to seek to stand in things that stand not, to desire things that pass away, but to be unwilling to pass away with them. For while all things fly away against our wish, those things which had first harassed the mind in desire of gaining them, now oppress it with fear of losing them.

CHRYS; He said not, Come you, this man and that man, but all whosoever are in trouble, in sorrow, or in sin, not that I may exact punishment of you, but that I may remit your sins. Come you, not that I have need of your glory, but that I seek your salvation. And I will refresh you. Not, I will save you, only; but that is much greater, I will then refresh you, that is, I will set you in all quietness.

RABAN; I will not only take from you your burden, but will satisfy you with inward refreshment.

REMIG; Come, He says not with the feet, but with the life, not in the body, but in faith. For that is a spiritual approach by which any man approaches God; and therefore it follows, Take my yoke upon you.

RABAN; The yoke of Christ is Christ's Gospel which joins and yokes together Jews and Gentiles in the unity of the faith. This we are commanded to take upon us that is, to have in honor; lest perchance setting it beneath us, that is wrongly despising it, we should trample upon it with the miry feet of unholiness; wherefore He adds, learn of me.

AUG; Not to create a world, or to do miracles in that world; but that I am meek and lowly in heart. Would you be great? Begin with the least. Would you build up a mighty fabric of greatness? First think of the foundation of humility; for the mightier building any seek to raise, the deeper let him dig for his foundation. Whither is the summit of our building to rise? To the sight of God.

RABAN; We must learn then from our Savior to be meek in temper, and lowly in mind; let us hurt none, let us despise none, and the virtues which we have strewn in deed let us retain in our heart.

CHRYS; And therefore in beginning the Divine Law He begins with humility, and sets before us a great reward, saying, And you shall find rest for your souls. This is the highest reward, you shall not only be made useful to others, but shall make yourself to have peace; and He gives you the promise of it before it comes, but when it is come, you shall rejoice in perpetual rest. And that they might not be afraid because He had spoken of a burden, therefore He adds, For my yoke is pleasant, and my burden light.

HILARY; He holds forth the inducements of a pleasant yoke, and a light burden, that to them that believe He may afford the knowledge of that good which He alone knows in the Father.

GREG; What burden is it to put upon the neck of our mind that He bids us shun all desire that disturbs, and turn from the toilsome paths of this world?

HILARY; And what is more pleasant than that yoke, what lighter than that burden? To be made better, to abstain from wickedness, to choose the good, and refuse the evil, to love all men, to hate none, to gain eternal things, not to be taken with things present, to be unwilling to do that to another which yourself would be pained to suffer.

RABAN; But how is Christ's yoke pleasant, seeing it was said man above, Narrow is the way which leads to life? That which yoke is entered upon by a narrow entrance is in process of time made broad by the unspeakable sweetness of love.

AUG; So then the they who with an unfearing neck have submitted to the yoke of the Lord endure such hardships and dangers, that they seem beneath to be called not from labor to rest, but from rest to labor. But the Holy Spirit was there who, as the outward man decayed, renewed the inward man day by day, and giving a foretaste of spiritual rest in the rich pleasures of God in the hope of blessedness to come, smoothed all that seemed rough, lightened all that was heavy. Men suffer amputations and burning, that at the price of sharper pain they may be delivered from torments less but more lasting, as boils or swellings. What storms and dangers will not merchants undergo that they may acquire perishing riches? Even those who love not riches endure the same hardships; but those that love them endure the same, but to them they are not hardships. For love makes right easy, and almost nothing all things however dreadful and monstrous. How much more easily then does love do that for true happiness, which avarice does for misery as far as it can?

JEROME; And how is the Gospel lighter than the Law, seeing in the Law murder and adultery, but under the Gospel anger and concupiscence also, are punished? Because by the Law many things are commanded which the Apostle fully teaches us cannot be fulfilled; by the Law works are required, by the Gospel the will is sought for, which even if it goes not into act, yet does not lose its reward. The Gospel commands what we can do, as that we lust not; this is in our own power; the Law punishes not the will but the act, as adultery Suppose a virgin to have been violated in time of persecution, as here was not the will she is held as a virgin under the Gospel; under the Law she is cast out as defiled.

Catena Aurea Matthew 11

Christ Carrying the Cross

Vincenzo Catena

1520s
Oil on panel, 47 x 38 cm
Liechtenstein Museum, Vienna

Saint Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

Saint Ambrose,
Bishop & Doctor of the Church
Memorial
December 7th

Ambrogio Borgognone
St Ambrose with Saints
c. 1514 -- Panel
Certosa, Pavia

Saint Ambrose was born at Trier in about 340. He studied law at Rome, and was made bishop of Milan on December 7, 374. He defended the faith against the Arian heresy through his writings and teachings. He helped lead Augustine into the true faith. Ambrose died on Holy Saturday, April 4, 397.

Collect:
O God, who made the Bishop Saint Ambrose
a teacher of the Catholic faith
and a model of apostolic courage,
raise up in your Church men after your own heart
to govern her with courage and wisdom.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. +Amen

First Reading: Ephesians 3:8-12
To me[Paul], though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all men see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose which He has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confidence of access through our faith in Him.

Gospel Reading: John 10:11-16
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. He who is a hireling and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hireling and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know My own and My own know me, as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And I have other sheep, that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed My voice. So there shall be one flock, one Shepherd.

***

Prayer of St. Ambrose
Preparation before mass

Lord, Jesus Christ,
I approach your banquet table
in fear and trembling,
for I am a sinner,
and dare not rely on my own worth
but only on your goodness and mercy.
I am defiled by many sins
in body and soul,
and by my unguarded thoughts and words.
Gracious God of majesty and awe,
I seek your protection,
I look for your healing;
Poor troubled sinner that I am,
I appeal to you, the fountain of all mercy.
I cannot bear your judgment,
but I trust in your salvation.
Lord, I show my wounds to you.
I know my sins are many and great,
and they fill me with fear,
but I hope in your mercies,
for they cannot be numbered.
Lord Jesus Christ, eternal King, God and man,
crucified for mankind,
look upon me with mercy and hear my prayer,
for I trust in you.
Have mercy on me,
full of sorrow and sin,
for the depth of your compassion never ends.
Praise to you, saving sacrifice,
offered on the wood of the cross for me
and for all mankind.
Praise to the noble and precious blood,
flowing from the wounds of my crucified
Lord Jesus Christ
and washing away the sins of the whole world.
Remember, Lord, your creature,
whom you have redeemed with your blood.
I repent my sins,
and I long to put right what I have done.
Merciful Father, take away
all my offenses and sins;
purify me in body and soul,
and make me worthy to taste the holy of holies.
May your body and blood,
which I intend to receive,
although I am unworthy,
be for me the remission of my sins,
the washing away of my guilt,
the end of my evil thoughts,
and the rebirth of my better instincts.
May it incite me to do the works pleasing to you
and profitable to my health in body and soul,
and be a firm defense
against the wiles of my enemies. Amen.

St. Ambrose

Feast Day: December 07
Born: 340 :: Died: 397

Ambrose was born at Augusta Treverorum in the Roman Empire which today is the town of Trier in Germany.

He was the son of Aurelius Ambrosius the Roman governor of Gaul. When his father died, his mother took her family back to Rome. She and her daughter, St. Marcellina, brought Ambrose up well.

He became an excellent lawyer and was then made governor of Milan and the territory around it. But by a strange event, Ambrose the governor became Ambrose the bishop.

When the Bishop of Milan died, there was a big quarrel between the Arians and the Catholics in the Cathedral about who would become the next bishop. Ambrose quickly went to the Church and gave a speech begging both sides to stop fighting and make peace.

In those days the people used to suggest to the pope the name of the one they would like as bishop. To Ambrose's great surprise, the people of Milan were so impressed with his efforts to make peace that they immediately chose him as bishop.

He tried to escape, but it seemed to be God's will and Ambrose became a priest and then bishop of Milan.

Ambrose was a great model and father to his people. He also resisted all evil with amazing courage. He faced an attacking army and convinced the leader to turn back.

Another time, Emperor Theodosius came from the east. He wanted to save Italy from invaders and asked all his officers to respect the bishop of Milan.

But when this emperor committed a very serious sin, Ambrose immediately told him that he did wrong. He asked Theodosius do public penance. The emperor did not get angry but realized that the saint was right. Very humbly he publicly made penance for his sin.

Ambrose had shown the world that no human being, even if he or she is the Emperor, is higher than the Church and that everyone was the same in the eyes of God.

People were afraid of what would happen to Italy when Ambrose died. When he became sick, they begged him to pray for a longer life.

The saint replied, "I have not behaved myself among you in such a way that I should be ashamed to live longer; nor am I afraid to die, for we have a good Master." Bishop Ambrose died on Good Friday in the year 397.

CATHOLIC ALMANAC

Wednesday, December 7

Liturgical Color: White

Today is the Memorial of St.
Ambrose, bishop and Doctor of the
Church. During the 4th century St.
Ambrose fought to eliminate the
Arian heresy. This widespread
heresy denied the divinity of Christ.
Arians believed God the Father
created Jesus.

Catholic Culture

Advent: December 7th

Memorial of St. Ambrose, bishop and doctor

MASS READINGS

December 07, 2016 (Readings on USCCB website)

COLLECT PRAYER

O God, who made the Bishop Saint Ambrose a teacher of the Catholic faith and a model of apostolic courage, raise up in your Church men after your own heart to govern her with courage and wisdom. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

show

Recipes (9)

show

Activities (1)

Celebrating for the Feast of St. Ambrose

show

Prayers (8)

show

Library (1)

Saint Ambrose of Milan | Pope Benedict XVI

Old Calendar: St. Ambrose; Vigil of the Immaculate Conception

St. Ambrose (340-397) was born at Treves in Gaul, a territory which embraced modern France, Britain, Spain, and part of Africa. He studied in Rome and later became governor of Liguria and Aemelia with residence at Milan. While supervising the election of a new bishop of Milan in 374, he himself was suddenly acclaimed the bishop. He was only a catechumen at the time. He was ordained a priest and consecrated a bishop on Dec. 7. He wrote much on the Scriptures and Fathers, preached a homily every Sunday, resisted the interference of the secular powers with the rights of the Church, opposed the heretics, and was instrumental in bringing about the conversion of St. Augustine. He composed many hymns, promoted sacred chant, and took a great interest in the Liturgy.

Jesse Tree ~ Jesse

St. Ambrose
Around the year 333 Ambrose was born at Trier, the child of a noble Roman family. After his father's death he went to Rome, and was soon appointed consul with residence at Milan. While attempting to settle a dispute between the Arians and Catholics over the choice of a bishop, he himself was chosen, although only a catechumen at the time. Thereupon he devoted himself wholeheartedly to the study of theology, and gave his possessions to the poor. He was an illustrious preacher, and through his sermons brought Augustine to the faith and baptized him.

Candid and fearless no matter how strong the opposition, Ambrose was directed to confront Maximus, the murderer of the Emperor Gratian. When Maximus refused to do penance, Ambrose excommunicated him. Later he denied Emperor Theodosius entrance into church for his massacre of the inhabitants of Thessalonica. It was on this occasion that allusion was made to [King] David as a murderer and adulterer, and Ambrose retorted: "You have followed him in sin, now follow him in repentance." Humbly, Theodosius accepted the penance imposed.

We often meet this saint in the Divine Office as a teacher and as an inspired composer of hyms (fourteen of the hymns attributed to him are definitely authentic, true pearls of religious poetry). His writings are vibrant with ancient Christian liturgical spirit, for his life was wholly rooted in mystery and sacrament. We can profit greatly by reading Ambrose's works. He is one of the four great Latin Doctors of the Church.

Excerpted from The Church's Year of Grace, Pius Parsch

Patron: bee keepers; bees; candlemakers; chandlers; domestic animals; French Commissariat; learning; Milan, Italy; schoolchildren; students; wax melters; wax refiners.

Symbols: Scourge; beehive; tower; dove; cope and mitre; human bones; scroll with staff of music; pen book and pen; cross; chalice; bull; knotted scourge; two scourges; goose; writing tablet and stylus; heart surmounted with flame; scroll with quotation from writings.
Often Portrayed As: Bishop holding a church in his hand; beehive; man arguing with a pagan; with Saint Gregory the Great, Saint Jerome and Saint Augustine of Hippo.

Things To Do:

See Celebrating the Feast of St. Ambrose for ideas.
Read some of the Writings of St. Ambrose, Doctor of the Church.
Food Ideas: Besides the recipes named for Ambrose, other highlighted recipes are honey cakes or cookies, appropriate since Ambrose is known as the "Honey-Tongued Doctor."

Doctors of the Catholic Church

Saint Ambrose of Milan

detail of a painting of Saint Ambrose of Milan; date and artist unknown; Vatican Museum, Vatican City, Rome, Italy; swiped with permission from the flickr account of Father Lawrence Lew, OP

Also known as

Ambreuil
Ambrogio
Ambroise
Ambrosius
Ambrun
Embrun
The Honey Tongued Doctor

Memorial

7 December
4 April (Old Catholics; Lutherans)
20 December (Orthodox)

Profile

Born to the Roman nobility. Brother of Saint Marcellina and Saint Satyrus. Educated in the classics, Greek, and philosophy at Rome, Italy. Poet and noted orator. Convert to Christianity. Governor of Milan, Italy.
When the bishop of Milan died, a dispute over his replacement led to violence. Ambrose intervened to calm both sides; he impressed everyone involved so much that though he was still an unbaptized catechumen, he was chosen as the new bishop. He resisted, claiming that he was not worthy, but to prevent further violence, he assented, and on 7 December 374 he was baptized, ordained as a priest, and consecrated as bishop. He immediately gave away his wealth to the Church and the poor, both for the good it did, and as an example to his flock.
Noted preacher and teacher, a Bible student of renown, and writer of liturgical hymns. He stood firm against paganism and Arians. His preaching helped convert Saint Augustine of Hippo, whom Ambrose baptized and brought into the Church. Ambrose’s preaching brought Emperor Theodosius to do public penance for his sins. He called and chaired several theological councils during his time as bishop, many devoted to fighting heresy. Welcomed Saint Ursus and Saint Alban of Mainz when they fled Naxos to escape Arian persecution, and then sent them on to evangelize in Gaul and Germany. Proclaimed a great Doctor of the Latin Church by Pope Boniface VIII in 1298.
The title Honey Tongued Doctor was initially bestowed on Ambrose because of his speaking and preaching ability; this led to the use of a beehive and bees in his iconography, symbols which also indicate wisdom. This led to his association with bees, beekeepers, chandlers, wax refiners, etc.

Born

c.340 in Trier, southern Gaul (modern Germany)

Died

Holy Saturday, 4 April 397 at Milan, Italy of natural causes
relics at basilica of Milan

Canonized

Pre-Congregation

Patronage

Representation

baby with bees on his mouth
beehive
bees
bishop holding a church
bones, referring to the relics of Saint Gervase and Saint Protase which were revealed to him in a vision
dove
man arguing with a pagan
ox
pen
lash, whip or scourge, usually with three thongs; represents the doctrine of the Trinity which defeated the Arian
with Saint Gregory the Great, Saint Jerome and Saint Augustine of Hippo
beehive at his feet
books
at the grave of Saint Martin of Tours (Ambrose saw his burial in a vision)
with Saint Protase and Saint Gervase (they appeared to Ambrose in a vision to lead him to their lost relics)

Additional Information

Book of Saints, by the Monks of Ramsgate
Catholic Encyclopedia
Encyclopedia Brittanica (1911 edition)
Golden Legend
Lives of the Saints, by Father Alban Butler
New Catholic Dictionary
Pope Benedict XVI: General Audience, 24 October 2007
Roman Martyrology, 1914 edition
Saints and Their Symbols, by E A Greene
Saints in Art, by Margaret Tabor
—
On the Mysteries
Concerning Widows
Memorial of Symmachus, Prefect
Sermon against Auxentius on the Giving Up of the Basilicas
On Repentance: Book 1 and 2
books
- Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints
other sites in english
- 1001 Patron Saints and Their Feast Days, Australian Catholic Truth Society
- Big C Catholics
- Catholic Cuisine
- Catholic Ireland
- Catholic News Agency
- Catholic Quotes: Saint Ambrose on Saint Agnes
- Christian Iconography
- Encyclopedia Brittanica (2008 edition)
- Find A Grave
- Franciscan Media
- Independent Catholic News
- Missed Saints
- Mondays with Mary: Patron of the Veneration of Mary
- Mondays with Mary: Saint Ambrose and Western Marian Doctrine
- Olga’s Gallery
- Saint Charles Borromeo Church, Picayune, Mississippi
- Saint Patrick’s Catholic, Tolono, Illinois
- Saints Alive, by Father Rober McNamara
- Saints in Rome
- Saints Resource
- Saints Stories for All Ages
- Wikipedia
- Catholic Book Blogger
  - Saint Ambrose: Rise Above Popular Opinion
  - Saint Ambrose: Sow on Earth, Reap in Heaven
  - Saint Ambrose: Uproot Sin and Sow Spiritual Seed
  - Saint Ambrose: Excommunication is a Last Resort
  - Saint Ambrose: Repent for the Sake of the Eucharist
  - Saint Ambrose: The Anger of Christ is His Mercy
  - Saint Ambrose: Share Everything
  - Saint Ambrose: Don’t Take Advantage of Misfortune
  - Saint Ambrose: Expect Better Returns from the Poor
  - Saint Ambrose: Toss Out the Image of the Devil
  - Saint Ambrose: Ignore Insults and Keep Silent
  - Saint Ambrose: Do Not Return Insult for Insult
  - Saint Ambrose: Keep Silent Until the Right Moment
  - Saint Ambrose: Think Before You Speak
  - Saint Ambrose: Be Christian in Your Conversation
  - Saint Ambrose: Be Satisfied with Enough
  - Saint Ambrose: Help the Church Help Others
  - Saint Ambrose: Be Generous in Secret
  - Saint Ambrose: Cooperation is a Law of Nature
images
- Wikimedia Commons
audio
- On the Duties of the Clergy
- Concerning Virgins
video
- YouTube PlayList
e-books
- Concerning Virginity, by Saint Ambrose
- Letters of Saint Ambrose, Bishop of Milan
- Library of Fathers of the Holy Catholic Church, v45, by Saint Ambrose of Milan
- On Holy Virginity, by Saint Ambrose
- Saint Ambrose: His Life, Times, and Teaching, by Robinson Thornton
- Selected Works and Letters
sites en français
- Abbé Christian-Philippe Chanut
- Fête des prénoms
webseiten auf deutsch
- Benedikt XVI: Generalaudienz, 24 Oktober 2007
- Bibliothek der Kirchenvater
- Florilegium Martyrologii Romani
- Kathpedia
- Ökumenisches Heiligenlexikon
- Stadler’s Bollstandiges Heiligenlexikon
- List of Additional Documents
siti in italiano
- Benedetto XVI
- Recherches sur Saint Ambroise
- Santi e Beati
- Wikipedia
notitia in latin
- Documenta Catholica Omnia
websites in nederlandse
- Heiligen 3s
nettsteder i norsk
- Den katolske kirke

Readings

No one heals himself by wounding another. – Saint Ambrose
Our own evil inclinations are far more dangerous than any external enemies. – Saint Ambrose
But if these beings angels guard you, they do so because they have been summoned by your prayers. – Saint Ambrose
The Church of the Lord is built upon the rock of the apostles among so many dangers in the world; it therefore remains unmoved. The Church’s foundation is unshakable and firm against assaults of the raging sea. Waves lash at the Church but do not shatter it. Although the elements of this world constantly beat upon the Church with crashing sounds, the Church possesses the safest harbor of salvation for all in distress.
There is a stream which flows down on God’s saints like a torrent. There is also a rushing river giving joy to the heart that is at peace and makes for peace.
He who read much and understands much, receives his fill. He who is full, refreshes others. So Scripture says: “If the clouds are full, they will pour rain upon the earth.”
Therefore, let your words be rivers, clean and limpid, so that you may charm the ears of people. And by the grace of your words win them over to follow your leadership. Solomon says: “The weapons of the understanding are the lips of the wise”; and in another place he says: “Let your lips be bound with wisdom.” That is, let the meaning of your words shine forth, let understanding blaze out. Let no word escape your lips in vain or be uttered without depth of meaning. – from a letter by Saint Ambrose
To avoid dissensions we should be ever on our guard, more especially with those who drive us to argue with them, with those who vex and irritate us, and who say things likely to excite us to anger. When we find ourselves in company with quarrelsome, eccentric individuals, people who openly and unblushingly say the most shocking things, difficult to put up with, we should take refuge in silence, and the wisest plan is not to reply to people whose behavior is so preposterous. Those who insult us and treat us contumeliously are anxious for a spiteful and sarcastic reply: the silence we then affect disheartens them, and they cannot avoid showing their vexation; they do all they can to provoke us and to elicit a reply, but the best way to baffle them is to say nothing, refuse to argue with them, and to leave them to chew the cud of their hasty anger. This method of bringing down their pride disarms them, and shows them plainly that we slight and despise them. – Saint Ambrose, Offices

The Word Among Us

Meditation: Isaiah 40:25-31

Saint Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church (Memorial)

They that hope in the Lord will renew their strength. (Isaiah 40:31)

Every human being has times of discouragement, times when we “faint and grow weary . . . stagger and fall” (Isaiah 40:30). It’s easy to identify with Jacob when he says, “My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God” (40:27). It’s in times like these that we are most vulnerable to the lies and half-truths of the devil. And so the prophet in today’s first reading gives us ammunition against such attacks.

Sometimes our situation seems so hopeless that we are convinced there is nothing God can do for us. But Isaiah reminds us to lift our eyes to the power that God displays as he holds the whole universe together. Nothing is impossible for God!

Sometimes we feel as if God doesn’t know what’s happening to us. Here, Isaiah reminds us. “His knowledge is beyond scrutiny” (Isaiah 40:28). Not even the smallest detail escapes his notice.

It’s tempting to think that God has more important things to worry about than our little lives. But again Isaiah corrects us: “He gives strength to the fainting; for the weak he makes vigor abound” (Isaiah 40:29). This promise also puts an end to the lie that God doesn’t care about our struggles or trials.

We may think that we don’t deserve God’s help and that we may even bear part of the blame for how things have gotten so bad. But don’t get mired in guilt. God’s mercy is always available, even when we don’t deserve it. That’s the definition of mercy after all! Yes, “he pardons all your iniquities” (Psalm 103:3).

When thoughts like these arise, don’t just wish things were better. Christian hope is an active virtue. It urges you to bring your need to the Lord and leave your problem in his capable hands. Then you can expand your heart by praising him for his power, his knowledge, his wisdom, and his unconditional love. Finally, see if there is a step you can take that will help build God’s kingdom—some act of service you can do. Isaiah promises that if you do, you’ll find your own strength invigorated.

“Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all my being, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. (Psalm 103:1-2)”

Psalm 103:1-4, 8, 10
Matthew 11:28-30

Marriage = One Man and One Woman Until Death Do Us Part

Daily Marriage Tip for December 7, 2016:

Surprise your honey with an early Christmas gift. It doesn’t have to be expensive—fix his favorite dish or give her a back massage.

Regnum Christi

Daily Meditation

December 7, 2016 – The Yoke of Love

07 Dec 2016

Memorial of Saint Ambrose, bishop and doctor of the Church

Father Walter Schu, LC

Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus said to the crowds: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

Introductory Prayer: Lord, you know the sincerity of my desire to spend this time with you. As I begin this meditation, I believe that you are here with me, that you never abandon me. Because I love you, my one wish is to please and console you in your solitude in the tabernacle. I hope in the boundless mercy that motivated your incarnation. May we one day meet again in your heavenly kingdom.

Petition: Mary, you who are the perfect model of humility, help me to be meek and humble like Christ your Son, who out of love for me became a helpless infant at Bethlehem.

Who Is This Man? Who is this man who stands before us in this Gospel—the man whose gaze has penetrated into the most secret recesses of our souls and discovered what lies hidden there? A man who recognizes that we labor, that we are burdened by the demands of life, weighed down by our sins and imperfections, straining under the load of our passions and unfulfilled desires. Who is this man who would dare promise what we have always longed for in the inner sanctuaries of our consciences, yet never quite allowed ourselves to hope for? Who could utter such a simple, gentle, and appealing invitation, more than we could ever find ourselves worthy of: “Come to me… and I will give you rest”? Who but God himself?

How Can We Come to Him? How can we accept the invitation of the one who is God become man? How can we come to him? How can we attain what our souls have longed for all the days of our existence? Christ himself gives us the answer: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart.” He is so humble that he does not even wait for us to respond to his invitation. He humbles himself so that he can first come to us at Christmas. To discover how to turn to him with our heavy burden of selfishness and unrestrained passions, we can first approach the manger where the King of Kings lies so helplessly.

A Mystery of Humility and Love: Bethlehem is a mystery of humility and love. Doesn’t Christ seem humble to you, reduced to the state of a helpless infant? Without words or speeches he teaches a living lesson we need to feel with all the intensity of which we are capable, allowing the consequences to spring forth on their own. Can we imagine any other state in which the goodness and humility of God radiate more clearly? Before this helpless child, who is God Incarnate out of love for us, we are reduced to silent wonder. All vain ambitions fade, all anger and bitter passion soften and all idle pursuits are driven far from our hearts. The yoke that burdened us, the rod of our taskmaster, is smashed and it is replaced by the light and easy yoke of love.

Conversation with Christ: Lord, help me to penetrate more deeply into the mystery of your becoming a helpless and innocent child at Bethlehem for me. Help me to grow in goodness of heart so I can radiate your goodness to those around me.

Resolution: On my way to and from work today, I will contemplate Christ meek and humble in the manger at Bethlehem. I will imitate his loving humility in my own life and have the confidence to turn to him for help with my failings.

Homily of the Day

December 7, 2016

Everything today is instant: fast food, wireless communications, people rushing to work, deadlines piling up. When things slow down or don’t go the way we planned, when our lives get compounded with health problems in the family, then we become despondent. Exhausted, we go to bed with our troubled minds full of plans for the next day. Our busy day may even take away the time to talk to God. How long can we last this way without a source of power to keep us going, without that constant inspiration or motivation to hang on?

In both readings, from the prophet Isaiah and the Gospel of Matthew, God assures us of his concern and support for us: Isaiah says, “He gives strength to the enfeebled, he gives vigor to the wearied. Youth may grow tired and faint, young men will stumble and fall, but those who hope in Yahweh will renew their strength. They will soar as with eagle’s wings; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and never tire.” And Jesus tells his disciples, “Come to me, all you who work hard and who carry heavy burdens and I will refresh you.”

What further assurance do we need? We ask for the grace for strong faith and child-like trust in the Lord in the midst of all our burdens and challenges in life.

One Bread, One Body

Language: English | Espa�ol

All Issues > Volume 33, Issue 1

<< Wednesday, December 7, 2016 >>

St. Ambrose

Isaiah 40:25-31
View Readings

Psalm 103:1-4, 8, 10

Matthew 11:28-30
Similar Reflections

O, COME, O, COME � TO THE CROSS

"Come to Me, all you who are weary and find life burdensome, and I will refresh you. Take My yoke upon your shoulders." �Matthew 11:28-29

In eighteen days, we will be singing "O come, all ye faithful." When we come to Jesus with all our weariness and burdens, He will give us rest by first unburdening us and then re-burdening us with His yoke, the cross. When we realize that Jesus is about to put the weight of the cross on our lives, we are afraid and feel like running away. However, if we are "faith-full," full of faith, we will trust Jesus and take up the cross (see Lk 9:23). We will be surprised that the weight of the cross feels light (see Mt 11:30), although it is the heaviest weight possible. Then we will realize that Jesus has borne the weight of the cross, and we have only a small share of His sufferings.

As we fill up in our bodies what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ (Col 1:24), we are filled with even greater faith. Then the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: "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" (Is 40:31).

Burdens + faith in Jesus + the cross = rest + greater faith in Jesus + supernatural strength. "O come, all ye faithful."

Prayer: Father, I will boast of nothing but the cross (Gal 6:14).

Promise: "The Lord is the eternal God, Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint nor grow weary, and His knowledge is beyond scrutiny. He gives strength to the fainting; for the weak He makes vigor abound." �Is 40:28-29

Praise: St. Ambrose taught, pastored, and gave to the poor while defending the Faith. Referring to Scripture, St. Ambrose wrote: "He who is full, refreshes others."

Prayer for the Helpless Unborn

Heavenly Father, in Your love for us, protect against the wickedness of the devil, those helpless little ones to whom You have given the gift of life.

Touch with pity the hearts of those women pregnant in our world today who are not thinking of motherhood.

Help them to see that the child they carry is made in Your image - as well as theirs - made for eternal life.

Dispel their fear and selfishness and give them true womanly hearts to love their babies and give them birth and all the needed care that a mother can give.

We ask this through Jesus Christ, Your Son, Our Lord,

Who lives and reigns with You and Holy Spirit,

One God, forever and ever. Amen.