“The Saints of Advent: Saint Ambrose”
Saint Matthew 5: 13-19
Advent Midweek II: 8 December Anno Domini 2022
Fr Jay Watson, SSP
Saint Ambrose is quoted in The Book of Concord—Catalog of Testimonies (i.e., quotes from the Church Fathers). He really lived. He really loved The Lord Christ Jesus, because he believed, taught, and confessed the truth of 1st John 4.19: “we love Him because He first loved us.”
Born in Trier in 340, Ambrose was one of the four great Latin Doctors of the Church (with Augustine, Jerome, and Gregory the Great). He was a prolific author of hymns, the most common of which is Veni, Redemptor gentium (you just sang it--“Savior of the Nations, Come”). He’s also credited with writing the Te Deum (the great canticle for Matins that Luther said is the fourth great Creed of The Church). And, his name is also associated with Ambrosian Chant, the style of chanting the ancient liturgy that took hold in the province of Milan. While serving as a civil governor, Ambrose sought to bring peace among Christians in Milan who were divided into quarreling factions. When a new bishop was to be elected in 374, Ambrose addressed the crowd, and someone cried out, “Ambrose, bishop!” The entire gathering gave their support. This acclaim of Ambrose, a 34-year-old catechumen, led to his baptism on December 7, (his feast day was yesterday) after which he was consecrated Bishop of Milan. A strong defender of the faith, Ambrose convinced the Roman emperor Gratian in 379 to forbid the Arian heresy in the West. At Ambrose’s urging, Gratian’s successor, Theodosius, also publicly opposed Arianism. Ambrose died on Good Friday, April 4, 397. As a courageous doctor and musician, he upheld the truth of God’s Word.
Luther greatly appreciated him as he was the mentor and first Father Confessor to a newly converted (ex-Manichean heretic) Saint Augustine.
Like Andrew giving way to the more, well, famous, important Saint Peter. And, like the greatest of the Old Testament Prophets, Saint Elias giving way to his successor, who would be given even greater miracles to show forth God, Saint Elisha. So too Ambrose would fade into the shadows cast by the bright sun of Saint Augustine—THE Father of the Western Church.
But that was fine for Ambrose for he knew Whose shadow he really rested in—The God/Man’s gracious healing shade from the blazing sun of sin, death, and the power of Satan.
Ambrose’s greatest earthly talent was administration and temperance. He truly exhibited Christ’s desire that His disciples be “wise as serpents but gentle as doves.” And yet, Ambrose knew that through His Lord, he Ambrose, was to be used as salt in making a difficult and broken world more savoury—i.e., more Christ-like.
And what did Ambrose do until the day he died? He preached and administered The Holy Sacrament at his altar (God’s altar) at His basilica (God’s Church). Ambrose taught and wrote and composed and oversaw all the priests in his diocese. He was the prototypical Shepherd. He was a sinner but he strove by the power of The Holy Ghost to remain faithful—faithful unto death.
Be like Ambrose. That is what the Confessions tell you when considering the Saints, that great cloud of witnesses. What does Paul say: “be followers of me” [1 Cor. 11.1]. To follow is to believe as Paul does, but also to do as Paul does. And yes, as Ambrose our father in the faith.
Ambrose was Jesus’ candle in Milan the whole environs of 5th century Italy—and beyond. He was sent on the hill of His pulpit and altar to preach THE LIGHT of the world. It was Christ who as that light was placed on the hill of Calvary to be the beacon of Life drawing all men to The Crucified One—the Savior of all men and especially of them who believe.
During this Advent season repent of your breaking the Law but also of your finagling of the Law to justify yourself and weaken God’s clear Word. Repent of your lack of gratefulness for the Hebrew Scriptures and start actually reacquainting yourselves with the Old Testament, or rather the FIRST Testament of God’s Grace to you in Christ Jesus.
Take joy and comfort from the fact that though you too easily and quickly succumb to the ways, allurements and temptations of the world; even in jettisoning Adventide to celebrate Halmark and Macy’s and ‘Murica’s Chriss-Miss (all the Chriss but not Christ and all the Miss but no Mass), that Jesus gives you The Law and The Prophets, and the Saints of Advent like Ambrose, that you might repent and believe.
Or, in the words of Blessed Saint Ambrose you join in with all the Saints of Advent and sing, or pray: “Savior of the nations come, Virgin's Son, make here Your home! Marvel now, O heaven and earth, that The Lord chose such a birth.
Not by human flesh and blood, by The Spirit of our God, was The Word of God made flesh- woman's offspring, pure and fresh.
Here a maid was found with child, yet remained a virgin mild. In her womb this truth was shown: God was there upon His throne.”
Nations come. He’s on His throne for you now.
In the Name of the Father and + of the Son and of The Holy Ghost
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