From: rich <
richarra@gmail.com>
December 7th - St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan
One of Ambrose's biographers observed that at the Last Judgment peo=
ple
would still be divided between those who admired Ambrose and those who
heartily disliked him. He emerges as the man of action who cut a
furrow through the lives of his contemporaries. Even royal personages
were numbered among those who were to suffer crushing divine
punishments for standing in Ambrose's way.=C2 When the Empress J=
ustina
attempted to wrest two basilicas from Ambrose's Catholics and give
them to the Arians, he dared the eunuchs of the court to execute him.
His own people rallied behind him in the face of imperial troops. In
the midst of riots he both spurred and calmed his people with
bewitching new hymns set to exciting Eastern melodies.
In his disputes with the Emperor Auxentius, he coined the principle: =E2=80=9CThe emperor is in the Church, not above the Church.=E2=80=9D He pu= blicly
admonished Emperor Theodosius for the massacre of 7,000 innocent
people. The emperor did public penance for his crime. This was
Ambrose, the fighter, sent to Milan as Roman governor and chosen while
yet a catechumen to be the people's bishop.
There is yet another side of Ambrose=E2=80=94one which influenced Augustine=
,
whom Ambrose converted. Ambrose was a passionate little man with a
high forehead, a long melancholy face and great eyes. We can picture
him as a frail figure clasping the codex of sacred Scripture. This was
the Ambrose of aristocratic heritage and learning.
=C2 =C2 Augustine found the oratory of Ambrose less soothing and
entertaining but far more learned than that of other contemporaries.
Ambrose's sermons were often modeled on Cicero and his ideas betray=
ed
the influence of contemporary thinkers and philosophers. He had no
scruples in borrowing at length from pagan authors. He gloried in the
pulpit in his ability to parade his spoils=E2=80=94=E2=80=9Cgold of the Egyptians=E2=80=9D=E2=80=94taken over from the pagan philosophers.
=C2 His sermons, his writings and his personal life reveal him as an otherworldly man involved in the great issues of his day. Humanity,
for Ambrose, was, above all, spirit. In order to think rightly of God
and the human soul, the closest thing to God, no material reality at
all was to be dwelt upon. He was an enthusiastic champion of
consecrated virginity.
=C2 =C2 The influence of Ambrose on Augustine will always be open for discussion. The Confessions reveal some manly, brusque encounters
between Ambrose and Augustine, but there can be no doubt of
Augustine's profound esteem for the learned bishop. Neither is ther=
e
any doubt that Monica loved Ambrose as an angel of God who uprooted
her son from his former ways and led him to his convictions about
Christ. It was Ambrose, after all, who placed his hands on the
shoulders of the naked Augustine as he descended into the baptismal
fountain to put on Christ.
Comment:=C2 Ambrose exemplifies for us the truly catholic character of Christianity. He is a man steeped in the learning, law and culture of
the ancients and of his contemporaries. Yet, in the midst of active
involvement in this world, this thought runs through Ambrose's life
and preaching: The hidden meaning of the Scriptures calls our spirit
to rise to another world .
Saint Quotes:
=E2=80=9CNo one heals himself by wounding another.=E2=80=9D
--Saint Ambrose
=E2=80=9CBut if these beings angels guard you, they do so because they have been summoned by your prayers.=E2=80=9D
--Saint Ambrose
=E2=80=9CThe Church of the Lord is built upon the rock of the apostles amon=
g
so many dangers in the world; it therefore remains unmoved. The
Church's foundation is unshakable and firm against assaults of the
raging sea. Waves lash at the Church but do not shatter it. Although
the elements of this world constantly beat upon the Church with
crashing sounds, the Church possesses the safest harbor of salvation
for all in distress.
--Saint Ambrose
There is a stream which flows down on God's saints like a torrent.
There is also a rushing river giving joy to the heart that is at peace
and makes for peace.
--Saint Ambrose
He who read much and understands much, receives his fill. He who is
full, refreshes others. So Scripture says: =E2=80=9CIf the clouds are full, they will pour rain upon the earth.=E2=80=9D
--Saint Ambrose
"Therefore, let your words be rivers, clean and limpid, so that you
may charm the ears of people. And by the grace of your words win them
over to follow your leadership. Solomon says: =E2=80=9CThe weapons of the understanding are the lips of the wise=E2=80=9D; and in another place he sa= ys:
=E2=80=9CLet your lips be bound with wisdom.=E2=80=9D That is, let the mean= ing of your
words shine forth, let understanding blaze out. Let no word escape
your lips in vain or be uttered without depth of meaning.=E2=80=9D
--Saint Ambrose
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Prayer to the Sacred Heart
May all the words that I speak be dipped in the Blood of Thy Sacred
Heart, Jesus, that they may be so many arrows to pierce the hearts of
all who hear them with love for Thee.
=C2 - Amen.
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