Whose expectations do we try to live up to? Society often wants us to dance to the tune played by the loudest crowd, and resists when we sing our own song instead. The options presented to us are to be labeled as possessed or as gluttons and drunkards – which do we choose? We don’t need to constantly fast like John the Baptist, but we also shouldn’t continually feast. We need to be firmly rooted in the commandments of God, like a tree planted near running water. If we are, then God will pour his prosperity over us like a river, and we will remain strong and steadfast in his love. Christ tells the crowds that Wisdom is vindicated by her works – that Wisdom can grow within us and lead us in the way we should go, if only we allow ourselves to delight in the law of the Lord.

Today’s feast is a puzzling one for many people, a hard truth that merits pondering, an invitation for reflection.

There is no doubt that Saint Ambrose (339 – 397) was a working bee. Being elected bishop at the early stages of his Christian Journey, he had to study theology, prepare sermons, write about the Scriptures, deal with the tensions of the Church, opposed heretics, and compose hymns for the liturgy. Along with this, Ambrose supported and nourished the conversion of many, among them St. Augustine whom he baptized. He also faced the interference of secular power with the Church at the time, and the list goes on. Where did he find rest?