Tuesday of the Second Week of Advent

✠ | TODAY'S READINGS

I've always enjoyed the encouraging sense of spiritual intimacy and companionship Advent brings. And by that I don't mean how invitations to pre-holiday parities -- of which there will probably be more this year since we've all been vaccinated and, please God, COVID numbers are under control -- pull us together in companionable ways. Rather, I mean that as Advent progresses the scripture readings of the season introduce us to (and deepen our appreciation for) three particular people: the prophet Isaiah, John the Baptist, and the Virgin Mary. Here, still in the first weeks of Advent, it is Isaiah's clearheaded optimism and confidence that rings loudly in our ears.

Today is also the Feast of St. Ambrose, the well-respected bishop of Milan in the fourth century, the mentor and baptizer of St. Augustine. Ambrose came from a prominent, privileged family and as a young man assumed the responsibilities of public service as a government official. But secular bureaucracy ultimately bored him and in the midst of his restlessness he heard a call to serve through the Church instead of the State. We're told that in addition to being an excellent preacher, he carried some of his past administrative skills into the role of bishop by hosting regular open houses for his parishioners at which he would help to resolve conflicts, offer advice and, most importantly, accompany his people in their difficulties and offer comfort. In a way, Ambrose accomplished in his time and place much of what Isaiah says we should be on the look out for: grace, goodness and peace coming in abundance from God as shared with us by the kind deeds we receive from and offer to others.

Dr. Joel Warden

Professor of Philosophy

St. Francis College