The Teacher behind

The passage from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah in the RomanCatholic Lectionary today describes the care and shepherding of God for people as directions you hear from a Teacher behind you. The Church celebrates the feast of St Ambrose today. He is identified as the patron saint of learning. His biography attests to a passion for exploring many ideas which were available to him in Milan at the end of the fourth century. The passionate learner is often enthusiastic about sharing the life giving aspects of his passion with others. One of the others in the case of Ambrose was Augustine who heard the Teacher direct him to service of the Church. Friar Jude Winkler comments on Jesus action to address the situation He sees among the people as sheep without shepherds. The audience for whom the Gospel of Matthew was written is Hebrew Christians. The “lost sheep of Israel” need direction. Joe Simmons, S.J. of Creighton University finds ten types of confusion among learners including over eagerness, procrastination, discouragement, confusion and fear. The Teacher is with each of us as we struggle to continue to learn. Hear His voice. We take up the challenge to be teacher to our lost sheep in response to Jesus call. We pray to be attentive to each unique person as perhaps Ambrose was to Augustine.