Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few, so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest” (Mt 9:35-10:1, 6-8)
During these 25 days of Advent 2003, we’re trying to draw closer to the Lord.
Our preference might be to have a biography, even a picture of Jesus, but the Gospel writers don’t give us that kind of information. Except for the story of his birth in Matthew and Luke, they tell us only about his last years.
What was he like – tall, short, thin, heavy? Did he laugh much? Did he have a roundish face of a square jaw? Was there a twinkle in his eye or a more stern look? Did he come off as formal or folksy?
The evangelists don’t get into this. They want us to know who Jesus is, not what he looked like.
There is, however, one trait they stress: He was compassionate. On eight different occasions he is described as having pity -- and the Greek word used is particularly strong. On two occasions they note that he wept – at the death of his friend, Lazarus, and also over the city of Jerusalem.
The “Word became flesh” -- truly one of us. It helps to keep that in mind when spending some quiet time with him.
Spend some quiet time with the Lord.
December 7, 2003, Sunday, Second Week of AdventFeast of St. Ambrose
Ambrose was governor of a region in northern Italy, with his headquarters in Milan. When the bishop of Milan died in 374, the people had a hard time electing a replacement (that’s how they chose bishops back then) because of angry factions
Worried about civil disorder, Ambrose went to the basilica and told the wrangling parties to conduct themselves peacefully. Someone shouted, “Ambrose for bishop!” and the crowd picked up the refrain. Ambrose fled, but they tracked him down and insisted that he become their bishop.
There was one problem. Actually, two problems. First of all, he wasn’t a priest. Second, he wasn’t even a baptized Christian. In the space of a week, Ambrose was baptized, confirmed, ordained a priest, and ordained a bishop
Ambrose began an intensive study of Scripture, sold his property, lived an ascetic life, reached out to the poor, and immersed himself in the pastoral care of his people. He turned out to be a holy bishop, and a major leader in the Church. When he died 23 years later, the people acclaimed him as a saint.
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There was another young man in Milan at the same time who, as Ambrose had been, was a non-Christian pursuing a civil service career. Ambrose instructed him and received him into the Church. This new convert because a great theologian, a bishop and a saint. His name was Augustine.
