Saint Ambrose, Bishop, Doctor

On this memorial of Saint Ambrose, let us pray for the leaders of our Church, especially the bishops. We pray that they may lead us in a Christ-like example of trusting in the Lord in our daily lives during this Advent season and always.
Today is the end of the first week of Advent. I always equate Advent with anticipation and waiting, as I think most do.
Today’s reading from the Gospel of Matthew includes a powerful statement about Christ’s compassion for human suffering and his passion to address it: “And when he saw the crowds he felt sorry for them because they were harassed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd”. Jesus was moved with compassion seeing that people were troubled but had none to guide them and to support them. He was deeply moved by people’s troubles and felt a deep sense of vocation to address their troubles. With him the prophecy of Isaiah was being fulfilled, with him God’s promise uttered through the Old Testament prophet was becoming reality: “No more will you weep; God will be gracious to you when you cry out, as soon as he hears he will answer you. The Lord will give you the bread you need and the water for which you thirst.”