Feast of Saint Ambrose

Good morning. The concept of a ‘yoke’ taken from today’s Gospel offers a fairly good understanding of how love is best understood in marriage. Jesus in today’s Gospel says, “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” This reading offers some understanding regarding marriage in two ways. First, a yoke is a device made for two to join together in carrying a load, and so it is in marriage two people come together and work together to deal with the tasks life brings their way. As a couple we join together to address the various things we encounter, and we likewise as a couple in the sacrament of marriage are called to join with our Lord in lightening our load. Life can be a burden but through love as understood in the sacrament of marriage and through our faith in God we can manage whatever comes our way. Saint Ambrose, whose life we commemorate today, assures us “The Lord is very near, there is no need to worry: the Lord is always near to anyone who calls on him in truth, with right faith, with firm hope, with perfect love.” So it is in marriage, the yoke that joins us together in marriage, our covenantal promise, and the yoke of faith which joins us with our Lord combine to give us an understanding of love at its best. Working together in marriage with God on our side makes dealing with life’s burdens seem like a walk in the park. Make a great day!

Today we recall the good life, gifts, and works of Saint Ambrose.