THE MEMORIAL OF ST AMBROSE, BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH.
MEMORIAL OF ST AMBROSE, BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH.
“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.”
“Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.”
(Matthew 9:35–10:1, 5a, 6-8)
Saturday 7th December 2024 of the 1st Week of Advent is the Memorial of St Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church.
St Ambrose was still unbaptized and mayor of the imperial city of Milan when he was elected the Bishop of Milan.
Aided by the Holy Spirit, Ambrose quickly rose to the challenges of his calling. God gave him the courage of an apostle and made him an outstanding teacher in the Church. He was famous for his care of the poor and his apostolic zeal and opposition to the Arian heresy which was the scourge of the Church in the 4th and 5th century. St Ambrose converted and baptized St Augustine.
In the Gospel of today, Jesus summoned his Twelve disciples and gave them a mission with authority.
Who are the Twelve disciples today? Historically, the Twelve disciples represent the Twelve Tribes of Israel. Today they are the Bishops, the successors of the Apostles.
In the Gospel of today, we see the rollout of God's Plan. The Twelve Tribes became the Twelve Apostles. The Twelve became the beginning of the Seed of the Kingdom, the Church. The Church is the Seed of the Kingdom of God on earth. (CCC 671).
The Kingdom of heaven is not just at hand. It is here. We are the New Israel. Our mandate is to take authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness and to preach the Good News to everyone on earth.
"Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthew 10: 6 - 7).
Jesus had a magnificent obsession for the Kingdom of God. Jesus wants you and me to develop such an obsession. Various opposing but not contradictory statements describe the Kingdom:
#1. It is here and now and there and then.
#2. The Kingdom is immanent and transcendent.
#3. It is visible and invisible.
"The kingdom of God is close at hand: repent and believe the Good News." (Mark 1: 15).
The Church is the Guardian of the greatest mystery of the Kingdom of God: the Eucharist.
The preeminent feast of Mary is December 8th, the great Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.
Honor Mary under her Immaculate Conception title every day this December. And this year 2024 on Monday December 9th.
For the Immaculate Conception Devotions and Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link below:
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