The Feast of St Ambrose | Thursday 7 December 2023

Today is Thursday the 7th of December, the feast of St Ambrose, in the first week of Advent.

As you hear Josh Garrels sing 'What Child is This?', reflect for a moment on what the coming of Christ as a baby means for you in your life…

What Child is this who laid to rest
On Mary's lap is sleeping
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
While shepherds watch are keeping?
Why lay He in such mean estate
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians fear for sinners here
The silent word is pleading
This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
Haste, haste to bring Him laud
The Babe, the Son of Mary
So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh
Come peasant king to own Him
The King of kings salvation brings
Let loving hearts enthrone Him
Nails, spears shall pierce Him through
The cross he bore for me, for you
Hail, hail the Word made flesh
The Babe, the Son of Mary
The Babe, the Son of Mary




Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew.

Matthew 7:21, 24-27

‘Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord”, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only one who does the will of my Father in heaven.
‘Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its fall!’

Today is the feast day of St Ambrose, Bishop and one of the Doctors of the Church. He wrote “When we speak about wisdom, we are speaking of Christ. When we speak about virtue, we are speaking of Christ.” In this passage, Jesus encourages his listeners to seek both wisdom and virtue.

What is your immediate response to this parable?

Jesus reminds his listeners that claims of faith are not enough without a life lived in faith.

Is this something that speaks to you?

Like the wise builder, we are called to a life that is rooted. Rooted in love, compassion, and obedience to the will of the Father. This is where we find our confidence and consolation.

When the storms of life come, how does your faith sustain you?

Have there been times when your foundations have been pulled from under you? How did you respond?

As we listen to the passage again, be reassured that this is a teaching not a threat. We are called to do the will of the Father. That is why you are here.

Advent gives us time for both reflection and action. It's a season to renew our commitment to living out the Gospel values in our daily lives.

In this time of prayer share your thoughts and desires with the God who is coming from Heaven to share the reality of your life.

O Wisdom,
Lord and Ruler,
Root of Jesse,
Key of David,
Rising Sun,
King of the Nations,
Emmanuel.
Come, Lord Jesus.