Homily: December 7 - St. Ambrose - To us Christ is All

As a member of the Roman nobility, Ambrose was trained in the classics: philosophy, poetry, rhetoric.  Highly intelligent, well trained, Ambrose was made governor of Milan around the age of 32.  Two years later, a heated argument erupted in Milan between the Catholics and the Arian Heretics.  The bishop of Milan had died and the Arians wanted an Arian bishop, the Catholics wanted a bishop faithful to the Apostolic faith. 

Ambrose tried to resolve this dispute, and he began to address the crowd. Well, his speech struck such a chord with the people that someone shouted out, “Ambrose for bishop”.  The orator was speechless, for he had no intention of being a priest or bishop. He wasn’t even baptized; he was still a catechumen preparing for baptism. 

He resisted, claiming that he was unworthy, but the people continued to acclaim, “Ambrose for bishop”.  The people prevailed, mostly because Ambrose wanted to preserve peace.  So on December 7 of that year, Ambrose was baptized, and was consecrated a bishop, a week later.  He immediately gave away his wealth to the Church. 

Until that moment, Ambrose had been the most senior magistrate of the Empire in Northern Italy.  He was culturally well-educated, but pretty much ignorant of the Scriptures. So, the new Bishop briskly began to study the Bible…talk about learning on the job!

From the works of Origen, he learned to know and to comment on the Bible, and introduced in the West the practice of lectio divina.  From lectio divina, the prayerful listening to the word of God, Ambrose would become one of the great preachers and teachers of his time. His preaching and teaching would convert many, including the wayward son of Saint Monica, Saint Augustine.

Ambrose is a wonderful Advent Saint.  From his life, we learn that God has a plan for each of us, which is sometimes different than our own plans.  And when we humbly submit to God’s plans, God brings about greater good than we could ever do on our own.

And we also learn from Ambrose’s practice of lectio divina. During Advent, we are called to prayerfully reflect on the Word of God. Throughout Advent we are presented with the prophecies of Isaiah concerning the Messiah.  We do well to sit and reflect and pray with the Scriptures in order to prepare our souls and hearts for the great Christmas mystery.

Full of love for Jesus, Saint Ambrose proclaimed, “Omnia Christus est nobis! TO us Christ is all! If you have a wound to heal, he is the doctor; if you are parched by fever, he is the spring; if youa re oppressed by injustice, he is justice; if you are in need of help, he is strength; if you fear death, he is life; if you desire Heaven, he is the way; if you are in the darkness, he is light…Taste and see how good is the Lord: blessed is the man who hopes in him!” Like Ambrose, may Christ be all for us, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.