Homily Feast of St. Ambrose (You Can Run, but You Can’t Hide)
Homily Feast of St. Ambrose (You Can Run, but You Can’t Hide)
Are we completely on our own in our spiritual life or can the intercession of others change the course of our life? Certainly, that is an interesting question. I was watching a documentary about Mr. Rogers last night and he had a method of reminding people of God’s love. He would stop a counseling session and say, “Take a minute and think of someone who has changed the course of your life for the better.” Quite often that brief reflection brought people to tears as they realized how God had shown love to them through that significant person.
In today’s Gospel passage from Luke, we hear of a paralyzed man who is brought to Jesus for healing. He cannot come on his own. His friends bring him to Jesus. The friends make all kinds of extra effort to try to help their friend. We hear of them tearing out the roof over Jesus’ head to lower the helpless man down to the Lord amid the crowd he was preaching to. Jesus recognizes the faith of the friends involved. He then heals the paralyzed man. The intercession of the unnamed friends brings the cure.
St. Ambrose had his life turned upside down by his friends and admirers. He was a young professional living in Milan in the 4th Century. He was the governor of the city. The bishop of Milan died, and the see was open. At that time, bishops were picked by acclamation. Ambrose went to the town square to see what was happening. No one could agree who the new bishop should be, but then someone cried, “Choose Ambrose!” Others picked up the cry.
Ambrose ran and hid, but his friends gave away his hiding place and the people of the city insisted that he should be bishop. He was not even baptized, but in one week he received all the sacraments and was consecrated Bishop. He became one of the best church leaders of all time. Truly other people’s prayers and intercessions can change our lives.
Reflection Questions:
- Take a minute and think of one person who has changed the course of your life. Who was it and what did they do?
- Have you ever turned a deaf ear when someone suggested you take on new responsibility? Did that work out well or not?
Dear Parishioners,
Please remember that we have extra times for reconciliation this week. On Wednesday night, we have confessions from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in our church. You can enter the church through the front door or through the East door. The Reconciliation Room is located by the sacristy. The priest will be wearing a mask and will be keeping social distance.
We have also extended the Reconciliation time on Saturday. We will be hearing confessions from 2:45 until 3:45. Enter the church through the East door.
May Our Lady and all the Angels and Saints watch over you today.
Fr. Mark