In his biography, the Confessions, St. Augustine details his conversion from heresy to orthodoxy, from vice to virtue. For years Augustine wandered from one strange philosophy to another, even into strange Gnostic cults like the Manichaeists.The great turning point in Augustine’s life was during his stay in the northern Italian city of Milan. There he heard the preaching and teaching of the holy bishop St. Ambrose. Ambrose, by living an exemplary life worthy of Augustine’s admiration, was able to attract Augustine to the truth and goodness of the Christian Gospel.
Each one of us here today is able to profess the Catholic faith because that faith was shared with us by others. For many of us, it was our parents who gave us the gift of faith. Augustine came to the faith through the many tears shed and prayers offered by his mother Monica and being exposed to the truth in the preaching and life of a holy bishop. We all have a part to play in sharing the faith, and we must never underestimate the value of solid preaching and teaching and good Christian example.
In order to share the truth we must be grounded in the Word of God. St. Ambrose, as bishop, urged his priests to dedicate their free time to reading and studying the scriptures. Listen to Ambrose’s advice to his priests: “Drink, then, from Christ, so that your voice may be heard….He who reads much and understands much receives his fill. He who is full, refreshes others.”
Advent is truly a time for all of us to drink deeply from Christ. For all of us are called to refresh others, to bring others to Christ in our own way. But we cannot give what we do not have. Unless we have drunk deeply, we will draw from an empty well.
Sit with the scriptures open upon your lap in a quiet place every day. "Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock” the Lord teaches in our Gospel today. To reflect upon the prophets and the words of Our Lord is to open our minds, and hearts, and our souls more deeply to Christ, who longs to come to us and make his home in us with His Father, that we may share his light, his love, and his truth for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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We raise up our prayers of petitions, as we await with longing the Advent of Christ the Lord.
That the teaching and preaching of the Pope and all bishops and clergy will be founded firmly upon the full truth of the Word of God.
That all those who wander in error, far from the Gospel of Christ, may be led through the preaching and example of the Christian people to the fullness of faith.
That our president and all civil servants will carry out their duties with justice, honesty, and respect for the dignity of every human life. That Christ may banish disease, drive out hunger, and ward off every affliction.
For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.
Almighty ever-living God, who bring salvation to all and desire that no one should perish, hear the prayers of your people and grant tha the course of our world may be directed by your peaceful rule and your Church rejoice in tranquility and devotion. Through Christ our Lord.
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