Our holy father Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, who on April 4th, on the holy day of Pascha, fell asleep in the Lord in 397. His memory is celebrated today on which, while still a catechumen, he undertook ruling the famous See of Milan in 373, while he was exercising the office of prefect of the city. A true pastor and teacher of the faithful, he exercised great charity towards all, defended strenuously the freedom of the Church and the doctrine of the orthodox faith against the Arians. By his commentaries and his musical hymns, he piously catechized the people.
Your life has shown you to your flock as a rule of faith, an image of gentleness, and a teacher of moderation. You acquired greatness through humility and wealth through poverty. O father and archbishop Ambrose, intercede with Christ our God to save our souls.
Shining with divine teachings, you darkened the delusion of Arius, O Priest of the Mysteries and Shepherd, Ambrose. Working wonders by the power of the Spirit, you worked wonders and healed diverse passions, O father and archbishop, pray to Christ God for the salvation of our souls.
Ephesians 2: 11-13
Brothers and sisters: You men of Gentile stock — called “ uncircumcised” by those who, in virtue of a hand-executed right on their flash, call themselves “circumcised” — remember that, informer times, you had no part in Christ, and were excluded from the community of Israel. You were strangers to the covenant and its promise; you were without hope, and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were far off, have been brought near through the blood of Christ.
Luke 13: 19-29
The Lord told this parable: “The reign of God is like a mustard seed which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a large shrub and the birds of the sir nested in its branches.”
Jesus went on: “To what shall I compare the reign of God? It is like yeast which a woman took to knead into three measures of flour until the whole mass of dough began to rise.”
He went through cities and towns teaching– all the while making his way toward Jerusalem. Someone asked him, “Lord, are they few in number who are to be saved?” Jesus replied: “Try to come in through the narrow door. Many, I tell you, will try to enter and be unable. When once the master of the house has risen to lock the door and you stand outside knocking and saying, ‘Sir, open for us,’ he will say in reply, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your company. You taught in our streets.’ But he will answer, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Away from me, you evil-doers!’
“There will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets safe in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves rejected. People will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and will take their place at the feast in the kingdom of God.”
Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com
Friday, December 6 –
