Prior to his conversion to Christianity, Ambrose was of
the Roman nobility, trained in the classics, a poet, and a noted orator and
governor of Milan, Italy. In the year
370, while Ambrose was the Roman governor of Milan, the bishop died, and a
heated argument erupted over who would be the next bishop. Ambrose tried to resolve this dispute, and his
communication skills were so excellent 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, for 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, he was baptized, and was consecrated a bishop, a week
later. He immediately divested himself
of his earthly possessions, giving away his wealth to the Church.
He is known as the “honey-tongued doctor” of the Church,
his iconography often having bees and beehives, symbolizing his sweet and
smooth oratory and his wisdom. He therefore Patron Saint of Bees and
Beekeepers, if you were wondering. Put a drop of honey in your tea in honor of
St. Ambrose!
“Care must be taken that our speech proceed not from evil
passions,” writes Ambrose. “For in guarding his mouth, and restraining his
tongue, and in not speaking before examining, pondering, and weighing his words…
he certainly is practicing modesty, gentleness, patience. So he will not burst
out into speech through displeasure or anger, nor give sign of any passion in
his words, nor proclaim that the flames of lust are burning in his language, or
that the incentives of wrath are present in what he says.”
Ambrose, echoes the epistle of St. James, in the need to
bridle our tongue, to control our words. James writes, “If anyone thinks he is
religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, his religion
is vain.” To bridle our tongue is to practice self-control, examining,
pondering, weighing our words…thinking before we speak.
Ambrose’s bridled and honey-tongued speech won over the young St. Augustine to the Christian faith, inspiring Augustine to renounce his heresies and wild living and embrace Christ.
Ambrose was certainly given the grace to preach, as St.
Paul says in the epistle today, and also a boldness of speech and confidence. In
390, a riot erupted in Thessalonica and a Roman Governor was killed. In retaliation,
the Roman Emperor Theodosius brutally massacred 7000 Thessalonians. For this
heinous act, Bishop Ambrose excommunicated the emperor, who claimed to be a
Catholic. Theodosius, before he could be readmitted to the Sacraments was to do
public penance for condoning the murderous act.
To justify the use of this spiritual authority over the
emperor, Ambrose explained, “the emperor is in the church not over it.” That’s a good reminder to all of us
today—that bishops have an important role to play in the lives of the faithful,
even those who are political leaders.
One of his biographers wrote that, “At the last judgment
people would still be divided between those who admired Ambrose, and those who
thoroughly disliked him.” Better
disliked and in heaven, then admired and in hell.
So let’s pray today for our bishops, and for all
Christians that they may have the gifts of preaching and courage had by Saint
Ambrose, bishop, and doctor of the Church.
- - - - - - -
We raise up our prayers of petitions, as we await with
longing the Advent of Christ the Lord.
That the teaching and preaching of the Pope and all bishops
and clergy will be founded firmly upon the full truth of the Word of God.
That all those who wander in error, far from the Gospel of
Christ, may be led through the preaching and example of the Christian people to
the fullness of faith.
That our president and all civil servants will carry out
their duties with justice, honesty, and respect for the dignity of every human
life.
That Christ may banish disease, drive out hunger, and ward
off every affliction.
For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in
purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.
Almighty ever-living God, who bring salvation to all and
desire that no one should perish, hear the prayers of your people and grant
that the course of our world may be directed by your peaceful rule and your
Church rejoice in tranquility and devotion. Through Christ our Lord.
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