Memorial of Saint Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
(Isaiah 26:1-6; Matthew 7:21.24-27)
St. Ambrose of Milan exemplifies the wise and just man of today’s
readings. He saw the need to resist the
Arian heresy as well as the interference of the state in church affairs. Nor did he neglect the poor. He once advised his people that if they had two
shirts in their wardrobe, one belonged to the poor person who had none.
The reading from Isaiah indicates the strength of people like
Ambrose who trust in the Lord. They cannot
be defeated forever. If a mighty power seizes
them, they will resist capitulation until they are rescued. The gospel indicates that taking to heart Jesus’
words strengthens one to resist evil in all its forms.
We may tire of hearing Jesus’ words and celebrating him in
the Eucharist. As they say, we “have seen
and heard it all before.” But we have not
likely taken him to heart. The more we
do, the closer we come to Jesus who makes us strong, wise, and just.
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