by | Dec 6, 2022 | Evangelium

Wednesday 07 th december 2022

 

St. Ambrose of Milan

(340 – 397), Bishop, Doctor

 

He was born in Trier, Germany, between 337 and 340. Coerced by the people and by the emperor, he was baptized, ordained, and installed as bishop in 374. Ambrose was a key figure in the conversion of St Augustine to Catholicism, impressing Augustine by his intelligence and scholarship. He died on Holy Saturday, 4 April 397.

 

 

Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Sir 15: 5

In the midst of the Church he opened his mouth, and the Lord filled him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding and clothed him in a robe of glory.

 

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.

 

First reading : Isaiah 40:25-31

‘To whom could you liken me and who could be my equal?’ says the Holy One. Lift your eyes and look. Who made these stars if not he who drills them like an army, calling each one by name? So mighty is his power, so great his strength, that not one fails to answer. How can you say, Jacob, how can you insist, Israel, ‘My destiny is hidden from the Lord, my rights are ignored by my God’? Did you not know? Had you not heard? The Lord is an everlasting God, he created the boundaries of the earth. He does not grow tired or weary, his understanding is beyond fathoming. He gives strength to the wearied, he strengthens the powerless. Young men may grow tired and weary, youths may stumble, but those who hope in the Lord renew their strength, they put out wings like eagles. They run and do not grow weary, walk and never tire.

 

Psalm 102:1-4,8,10

R/ My soul, give thanks to the Lord.

 

  1. My soul, give thanks to the Lord all my being, bless his holy name. My soul, give thanks to the Lord and never forget all his blessings.
  2. It is he who forgives all your guilt, who heals every one of your ills, who redeems your life from the grave, who crowns you with love and compassion.
  3. The Lord is compassion and love, slow to anger and rich in mercy. He does not treat us according to our sins nor repay us according to our faults.

 

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia, alleluia! Behold, our Lord will come with power and will enlighten the eyes of his servants. Alleluia!

 

Gospel : Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus exclaimed, ‘Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.’

 

Prayer over the Offerings

As we celebrate the divine mysteries, O Lord, we pray, may the Holy Spirit fill us with that light of faith by which he constantly enlightened Saint Ambrose for the spreading of your glory. Through Christ our Lord.

Communion Antiphon : Cf. Ps 1: 2, 3

He who ponders the law of the Lord day and night will yield fruit in due season.

 

Prayer after Communion

Lead us, who have been strengthened by the power of this Sacrament, O Lord, so to profit from the teaching of Saint Ambrose that, hastening fearlessly along your paths, we may be prepared for the delights of the eternal banquet. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Meditation

In times of crisis, God can seem to be far away or absent. “God, are you alive? Do you even exist?” These are questions we tend to ask when things go awry and we see no signs of betterment. Today, God tells us that he is never absent or ignorant. He sees our sufferings and hears our cries of pain. Isaiah addresses words of hope and encouragement to us: those who trust in the Lord for help will find their strength renewed. Jesus gives us the same message: “Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest.” Do not give up on Jesus. When troubles come, turn to him in confidence, and you will find consolation.