In commenting on Deuteronomy 34:5 from today’s Mass Scriptures, Saint Ambrose of Milan writes:
“We do not read of [Moses], as we do of others, that he fell sick and died. We read that “he died by the word of God” — for God does not grow weak or undergo diminution or addition. Hence Scripture added, “No man has known of his sepulcher until this present day” — by which we are to understand that he was taken up into heaven rather than buried, for death may be called a separation of the soul from the body. He died therefore as the Scripture states: “by the word of God” — not “in accordance with the word” — so as to make known that this was not an announcement of his death but was more in the nature of a gracious gift to one who was translated rather than left here and whose sepulcher was known to no one.”
Today is the Memorial of Saint Maximiliam Kolbe, and an excerpt from his writings is presented from the Liturgy of the Hours: Office of Readings
O God,
Who filled the Priest and Martyr
Saint Maximilian Kolbe
with a burning love for the
Immaculate Virgin Mary and
with zeal for souls and love of neighbor,
graciously grant, through his intercession,
that striving for your glory
by eagerly serving others,
we may be conformed,
even until death, to your Son.
Who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
One God, for ever and ever.
O God,
Who filled the Priest and Martyr
Saint Maximilian Kolbe
with a burning love for the
Immaculate Virgin Mary and
with zeal for souls and love of neighbor,
graciously grant, through his intercession,
that striving for your glory
by eagerly serving others,
we may be conformed,
even until death, to your Son.
Who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
One God, for ever and ever.
