The world always delights in heroes and successful people, especially if they have overcome hardship or have had to work hard to achieve their success. Motivational speakers have vast collections of stories of underdogs who have turned the tables and overachievers who have experienced tremendous success. For every “winner,” however, there are hundreds of other people whose lives are broken, or who are supposedly unsuccessful, or who are forgotten and left behind. Who hears their stories? Who listens to the brokenness of their lives and shares in their tears?
The world doesn’t have much time for “losers.” But Jesus does! He offers His shoulders for us to lean on, He welcomes us into His embrace so that we can rest, and His heart feels our pain. Jesus is always at the ready to lighten our load, to give us a word of encouragement, and give us a helping hand.
Although we may feel tired and weighed down during this time of incredible busyness, we can learn from our Good Shepherd, who loves us so much, how to share one another’s burdens. We can always count on Him to teach us how to be generous in caring for ourselves and one another. May our Advent days be blessed and may we delight in the Lord’s guidance and help in this holy time.
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The Church celebrates the feastday of St. Ambrose today. He was born around the year 340. In the year 374, at the age of 34, he was Baptized and consecrated as bishop of Milan, Italy. At that time, he gave away his wealth to the Church and to the poor as an example to others. Though he came from a career in politics as a popular governor of the area, he took very seriously his election to the role of bishop. St. Ambrose studied Scripture and religious writers and lived very simply, devoting himself to the service of his flock.
St. Ambrose was also a teacher, well-known Bible student, and writer of liturgical hymns. He is the patron saint of learning, school children. He is also known as the “Honey-Tongued Doctor” because of his speaking and preaching ability – “smooth as honey” – which led to his designation as patron saint, also, of beekeepers and bees.
