St. Ambrose

ONE

St. Ambrose lived in the 4th Century and was an amazing man with amazing talents. As a young man not only was he elected governor of Milan in 374 due to his recognized talents and human virtues, but then, despite his protests, was selected as Bishop just two years later. What is even more remarkable about this selection was that he wasn’t yet baptized although he was a catechumen! He quickly received all the sacraments before being ordained and then consecrated Bishop. Though trained as a lawyer, he quickly turned to and excelled in theology, proving that having a good and converted heart is an excellent starting point for a well-formed mind. His knowledge and love of God resulted in his love for the poor, selling all his lands and possessions to support the destitute before assuming head of his Diocese. The young bishop displayed fearless zeal in preserving the faith against errors plaguing the Church of his day, errors which denied the full divinity of Christ. Once, Ambrose even chained himself to the door of a basilica when soldiers sought to seize it and use it as a base to teach their heresy. This holy Bishop recognized that the truths pertaining to the nature of Christ weren’t just pious theories with no practical importance, but on the contrary, were necessary for salvation and that misunderstanding Christian truths would chain men’s minds to darkness and enslave them to sin. So, he fought with fervor and selfless courage in the face of brutal persecution. His priorities were right. And mine, what about mine?

TWO

A pious legend claims that when Ambrose was born, a bee flew to his lips to deposit a drop of honey. His father exclaimed that his son was destined to draw men to the truth with the sweetness of his speeches. This indeed was the case. St. Ambrose knew that for the faithful to possess the truths for salvation, he needed to articulate them well. Teaching the truth is valued by God. “As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news” (Rom 10:2.) And this good news, this revealed truth, changes us from within by forming us into Christ.

Imagine a lump of clay on a potter’s wheel. The instant that the potter places his thumb in the clay, it is no longer just a lump; it is now being molded into something else, whether a vase, or cup or bowl or whatever. So, too, when the truth of Christ enters our soul through our mind, we are immediately being changed into something else—into HIm. As St. Paul exhorts; “be not conformed to the spirit of the age but be transformed by a renewal of your mind!” (Rom 12:2). Great saints like Ambrose revealed in his very life the transforming power of truth. He not only conformed his life to Christ but ended up converting his culture as well. The truth of Christ has that kind of power, to not only bring clarity and insight to the intellect, but also a transforming effect on our moral life and from there, to the world. Jesus, as the way, the truth, and the life, transform us and through us, the world!

THREE

So powerful and attractive was Ambrose’s preaching that he drew to Milan two future saints: a young, wild, and extremely intelligent man named Augustine, who was lost to his own heretical thinking and behavior; and Augustine’s holy mother Monica, who’s concern for her son’s soul led her to follow him to the great and noble bishop. As their friendship grew, Ambrose consoled St. Monica, assuring her that the tears of such a devoted mother would surely be heard by the Lord. He was right, as her son Augustine became another great doctor of the Church, astute theologian and saintly bishop in his own right. Just look at the amazing fruits of holy friendship: Ambrose, Augustine, and Monica, three great friends, three great saints! St. Ambrose valued friendship and recognized its fruits. He would often encourage his flock to be friends to others, especially those in need, saying; “Do not desert a friend in time of need, nor forsake him nor fail him, for friendship is the support of life.” Friendship and saintliness, what a novel combination!

FOUR

St. Ambrose’s love of the truth did not conflict with his love of his people. In fact, he believed it his duty to proclaim the truth to his flock because he loved them. He preached both in and out of season, whether his fellow Catholics wanted to hear it or not.

Truth and love go together. One of the benefits of knowing the truth is clarity of reason; and one of the benefits of clarity of reason is to recognize how to act prudently and charitably. Getting the truths about God right means getting truth about all things right, for God creates and controls all things. St. Paul teaches in 2 Cor 13; “Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong—not so that people will see that we have stood the test but so that you will do what is right…For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth” (2 Cor 13: 7-9.) This conviction to the truth is what brought Ambrose to the heights of sanctity and influence.

FIVE

How providential that we celebrate Ambrose in Advent, for he wrote some beautiful Advent hymns and poems. We close some verses from one of his Advent hymns:

“O COME, Redeemer of the earth, and manifest thy virgin-birth.

Let every age in wonder fall: such birth befits the God of all.

Begotten of no human will but of the Spirit,

Thou art still the Word of God in flesh arrayed, the promised fruit to man displayed.

The Virgin’s womb that burden gained,

its virgin honor still unstained.

Thy cradle here shall glitter bright,

and darkness breathe a newer light

where endless faith shall shine serene

and twilight never intervene.

All praise, eternal Son, to Thee,

whose advent sets Thy people free,

whom, with the Father, we adore, and Holy Ghost, for evermore. Amen.”