Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Readings: Is 40:1-11; PS 96:1-2, 3 and 10ac, 11-12, 13; Mt 18:12-14
Notes: One thing to remember is that G-d always is interested in what you have to say.
- He wants you to share your opinion with Him?
- It is always the best of conversations.
- In your prayer, share what your opinion is as well.
Reflection
Ambrose exemplifies for us the truly catholic character of Christianity. He is a man steeped in the learning, law, and culture of the ancients and of his contemporaries. Yet, in the midst of active involvement in this world, this thought runs through Ambrose’s life and preaching: The hidden meaning of the Scriptures calls our spirit to rise to another world.
from https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-ambrose
First reading
Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God.
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and proclaim to her that her service is at an end,
her guilt is expiated;
Indeed, she has received from the hand of the LORD double for all her sins.
Responsorial Psalm
The Lord our God comes with power.
Alleluia Verse
The day of the Lord is near;
Behold, he comes to save us.
Gospel Portion
Jesus said to his disciples:
“What is your opinion?
If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray,
will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills
and go in search of the stray?
And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it
than over the ninety-nine that did not stray.
In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father
that one of these little ones be lost.”
What is your opinion? (please feel free to write comments below)
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
Deacon Gerry Palermo 
Who are the sheep? Who are the lost? Who are the learned? From the time of Jesus’ parable to St Ambrose to today, we need to discern God’s teaching for ourselves, our community, our family and our world. Dear Lord, help us find the truth and find the wisdom to guide our thoughts, words and actions in December 2021.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amen.
LikeLike
Great points!
In Matthew The Lost Sheep is sandwiched between Jesus’ teaching entitled: Our Own Temptations to Sin and A Brother Who Sins.
For me, lostness is a state an imbalanced fulcrum of the two outcomes. Our self mastery and our willingness to help others.
So the learned are those who achieve a measure of self mastery and helping others (even as they offend).
But I don’t think that is the usual reading of it.
Thank you for the prompting to consider more deeply the scriptures!
LikeLike