Jacob Perikala csc –
Readings: Is 30:19-21, 23-26; Mt 9:35-10:1, 5a, 6-8
In the first reading, the prophet warns of destruction for those who persist in a sinful life. However, he also promises grace, mercy, and happiness for those who follow God’s word. He cautions the wicked of utter and dreadful ruin if they do not change their ways.
In the Gospel, Jesus authorizes his disciples to continue his mission on earth. We, too, are called to continue the mission of Christ spreading his name wherever we go and working for his cause. As followers of Jesus, we are reminded that we are only instruments in God’s hands, and there is no room for boasting about our worthiness. We are called to be compassionate, just as Jesus had compassion for the people.
The readings challenge us to respond to the needs of others with love and selflessness. We are to be God’s instruments of healing and his presence to those in need around us. Today, we honor St. Ambrose, a man who carried Jesus’s words and transformed the lives of many.
Ambrose was a biblical scholar, a Doctor of the Church, and a key figure in shaping medieval conceptions of church-state relations. He defended the Catholic Church against Arianism and other heresies and was instrumental in the conversion of St. Augustine. St. Ambrose believed not only in words but also in deeds, laboring with full strength and efficiency in the Lord’s vineyard. As we celebrate his feast, we are invited to follow his example and work for Christ’s mission with all our might.
