Bless the Lord, O my soul! — Psalm 103

Mass Readings: Isaiah 40:25-31 / Matthew 11:28-30

Fascinating Ambrose

St. Ambrose (340-397) was a fascinating character. Needing a bishop, the Christians of Milan rushed him through baptism, confirmation and ordination (don’t try this at home, folks) and he emerged magnificently and with great humility. He was a brilliant writer, a gutsy bishop (who once forbade a sinful Emperor from receiving the Eucharist till he repented), and a holy man who was gentle with the afflicted. It was he who told St. Monica, then in anguish over her wayward son Augustine, that God would surely not ignore her many tears for the young man. Later, he baptized Augustine.

Ambrose said, “Mary is the type of the Church.” It’s fitting that the feast of this humble disciple falls the day before the feast of Jesus’ greatest disciple, the Immaculate Virgin Mary.

Prayer: St. Ambrose, help us to imitate your humility as you imitate Mary’s.