>>> St AMBROSE – Pray for Us!
COME—YOU WILL FIND REST IN ME
Introduction
Prefect of Milan, Ambrose tried to prevent a riot at the election of a new bishop of Milan to succeed the Arian bishop. Someone shouted: “Ambrose bishop!” Still a catechumen, he finally accepted the charge. He became a very good pastor, with time for everybody. In his region he could put an end to Arianism and was instrumental in preparing the conversion of St. Augustine.
Opening Prayer
Lord our God,
we thank you today for St. Ambrose.
Give to your Church today
wise and caring shepherds like him
who speak your word to us with love and zeal.
May pastors learn from him
to educate their people in the faith
with an easily understood form of preaching
that links the life of the faithful
to the worship they are giving to God.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen!
1 Reading: ISAIAH 40:25-31
To whom can you liken me as an equal? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these things: He leads out their army and numbers them, calling them all by name. By his great might and the strength of his power not one of them is missing! Why, O Jacob, do you say, and declare, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the LORD, and my right is disregarded by my God”? Do you not know or have you not heard? The LORD is the eternal God, creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint nor grow weary, and his knowledge is beyond scrutiny. He gives strength to the fainting; for the weak he makes vigour abound. Though young men faint and grow weary, and youths stagger and fall, They that hope in the LORD will renew their strength, they will soar as with eagles’ wings; They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.
Responsorial PSALM 103:1-2, 3-4, 8 AND 10
R. (1) O bless the Lord, my soul!
Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits. R.
He pardons all your iniquities,
he heals all your ills.
He redeems your life from destruction,
he crowns you with kindness and compassion. R.
Merciful and gracious is the LORD,
slow to anger and abounding in kindness.
Not according to our sins does he deal with us,
nor does he requite us according to our crimes. R.
Alleluia
Alleluia, alleluia.
Behold, the Lord comes to save his people;
blessed are those prepared to meet him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: MATTHEW 11:28-30
Jesus said to the crowds: “Come to me, all you who labour and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”
Commentary
Welcome, Losers
The world delights in heroes and successful people, especially those who braved challenging circumstances and won. Motivational speakers pepper their talks with stories of such people. However, for everyone who succeeds, there are hundreds who live out their lives broken, defeated, forgotten. To whom do they share their tearful stories? Who will listen to their shattered dreams and feel their hot tears? The world has no time for losers. Thankfully, Christ has! Jesus offers them a shoulder to weep on, a bosom to rest, a heart to pour their angst to. Jesus is willing to lighten their burden with a helping hand, a soothing word, a consoling hug. It is witnessing such a scene that converted Edith Stein to Catholic faith – a scene of a woman walking into a Church to spend time with the Lord before she returned to the boredom of her daily chores (see reflection on July 13).
Intercessions
– That the Lord may take away from our hearts all pride and harshness, and make us gentle and humble, we pray:
– That we encourage the weak and support them to become courageous in the Lord, we pray:
– That we may help others, friend and foe, by helping them to carry their burdens, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord our God,
with bread and wine we celebrate
how close your Son is to us.
May he also bring the shepherds of your Church
close to the people under their care,
listening to them and guiding them
with love and care to the shepherd of all,
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!
Prayer after Communion
Lord our God,
In this Eucharistic celebration
your Son Jesus has been our teacher
speaking to us of how you are concerned about us
and how we can understand and love you.
Make all bishops in the Church
wise teachers of their people,
with a sure hand and an understanding heart,
who show the way to you,
our loving God, now and for ever. Amen!
Blessing
Weak as we are at times, we learn to carry our burdens when we are aware that the Lord is close to us and that we can always rely on him. May Almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!