THURSDAY OF THE FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT (Year II)
ST AMBROSE B.D. (Memorial) White
After the death of the bishop of Milan, Ambrose still an unbaptized catechumen was chosen to fill the office. Ambrose resisted, claiming that he was not worthy, but to prevent further unrest, he assented. On 7 December 374, he was baptized, ordained a priest, and consecrated as bishop. He immediately gave away his wealth to the Church to help the poor as an example to his flock. Ambrose was a preacher, teacher, bible student of renown, and writer of liturgical hymns. His preaching helped convert Saint Augustine of Hippo whom Ambrose baptized and brought into the Church. Ambrose's preaching also convinced Emperor Theodosius to do public penance for his sins. He was proclaimed a great Doctor of the Latin Church by Pope Boniface VIII in 1298. The title "Honey Tongued Doctor" was bestowed on him because of his speaking and preaching ability.
First Reading: Isa 26:1-6
Psalm: 118. R. v. 26a
Gospel: Mt 7:21. 24-27
We all know that words do not always metamorphose into action. Words can be far from action but action intermingles with word and goes further to speak loudly the silence within. What I say may not be what I do, but what I do says what I necessarily may not want to say. A man can fall before his king with countless salutations but behind that same king disobeys the laws of the land which is far more important. Love and allegiance is shown in action and not by mere proclamation.
Jesus said in today’s gospel: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father in heaven.” Therefore it is in doing God’s will that we can make a sincere perfect sigh of prayer. Prayer does not really dispose us in doing God’s will; rather it is doing God’s will that properly disposes us to prayer. Jesus is not asking us much. He is not asking of us what he has not done. This is what he has done and found best and beneficial. We should therefore listen and follow.
We should learn how to love before we know how to pray well. We should learn how to give before we ask God to give. We should learn how to forgive before we ask God for mercy. We should have reverence for the Holy Eucharist in order to celebrate the Holy Mass adequately. We should honour our vows in order to be fulfilled as priests and religious and subsequently replicate Christ in the world. We may be assiduous to our office works, punctual at Masses, consistent in meditating, faithful in reciting the rosary, and constant in vocal prayers. All these will become noise to God if God is not really found in our actions. For faith without practice is a contradiction in terms.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Gracious and Merciful Father, transform us into the image of your Son. May doing your will become our food so as not to hunger for any selfish motive. Amen.
FR VALENTINE EGBUONU, MSP
ST AMBROSE B.D. (Memorial) White
After the death of the bishop of Milan, Ambrose still an unbaptized catechumen was chosen to fill the office. Ambrose resisted, claiming that he was not worthy, but to prevent further unrest, he assented. On 7 December 374, he was baptized, ordained a priest, and consecrated as bishop. He immediately gave away his wealth to the Church to help the poor as an example to his flock. Ambrose was a preacher, teacher, bible student of renown, and writer of liturgical hymns. His preaching helped convert Saint Augustine of Hippo whom Ambrose baptized and brought into the Church. Ambrose's preaching also convinced Emperor Theodosius to do public penance for his sins. He was proclaimed a great Doctor of the Latin Church by Pope Boniface VIII in 1298. The title "Honey Tongued Doctor" was bestowed on him because of his speaking and preaching ability.
First Reading: Isa 26:1-6
Psalm: 118. R. v. 26a
Gospel: Mt 7:21. 24-27
We all know that words do not always metamorphose into action. Words can be far from action but action intermingles with word and goes further to speak loudly the silence within. What I say may not be what I do, but what I do says what I necessarily may not want to say. A man can fall before his king with countless salutations but behind that same king disobeys the laws of the land which is far more important. Love and allegiance is shown in action and not by mere proclamation.
Jesus said in today’s gospel: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father in heaven.” Therefore it is in doing God’s will that we can make a sincere perfect sigh of prayer. Prayer does not really dispose us in doing God’s will; rather it is doing God’s will that properly disposes us to prayer. Jesus is not asking us much. He is not asking of us what he has not done. This is what he has done and found best and beneficial. We should therefore listen and follow.
We should learn how to love before we know how to pray well. We should learn how to give before we ask God to give. We should learn how to forgive before we ask God for mercy. We should have reverence for the Holy Eucharist in order to celebrate the Holy Mass adequately. We should honour our vows in order to be fulfilled as priests and religious and subsequently replicate Christ in the world. We may be assiduous to our office works, punctual at Masses, consistent in meditating, faithful in reciting the rosary, and constant in vocal prayers. All these will become noise to God if God is not really found in our actions. For faith without practice is a contradiction in terms.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Gracious and Merciful Father, transform us into the image of your Son. May doing your will become our food so as not to hunger for any selfish motive. Amen.
FR VALENTINE EGBUONU, MSP
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