Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, as we gather to celebrate the memorial of Saint Ambrose in today’s liturgy, we are reminded of the profound impact that one individual can have on the Church and its teachings. Ambrose, born around 340 AD in Trier, modern-day Germany, was a man of remarkable intellect and sensitivity. With an extensive background in law and rhetoric, he would rise to prominence not through a clerical life but rather as the governor of Milan. His journey to becoming a bishop is a tale of divine providence—a pivotal moment in Christian history.
The circumstances surrounding his election as Bishop of Milan are captivating. Following the death of the previous bishop, a dispute broke out among the people regarding his successor. Ambrose, attending a public meeting to quell the tensions, spoke in favor of the traditional practices of the Church. Notice, he didn’t try to win over the crowd by common consensus, or placating their challenges. Rather he appealed to truth and divine revelation. Suddenly, to his astonishment, a child cried out, "Ambrose for bishop!" The crowd, inspired by this shout, rallied around him, and he was elected bishop—not after any long consideration, but almost instantaneously. Ambrose was baptized, ordained, and installed as bishop within a week. This swift transition emphasizes that God’s calling can often come when we least expect it.
As bishop, Ambrose became recognized as one of the Church's most gifted preachers. Among his listeners was a young man named Augustine, whose life was marked by tumult and spiritual searching. Augustine, initially caught up in the philosophies of his time, found in Ambrose’s sermons a new wisdom and the beauty of the Christian faith. The eloquence and depth of Ambrose's preaching transformed lives and hearts, leading Augustine on a path toward conversion—a journey culminating in his own baptism years later. Ambrose taught not just with words, but with the very essence of his life, demonstrating how faith and action intertwine.
As we reflect on Ambrose’s life today, we draw inspiration from the Scriptures presented to us. Isaiah speaks words of consolation, proclaiming that the Lord will be gracious to us when we cry out and that He will guide us on the path we must take. This resonates deeply with the narrative of Saint Ambrose’s faith. He was a shepherd to his people, guiding them on their journey, offering them the 'bread' and 'water' they needed—spiritual nourishment in a time of uncertainty. In our own lives, how do we reach out to those who are lost and thirsty for truth? Do we recognize our role as bearers of hope, affectionately embracing the call to guide others towards God's presence?
In the Gospel, we see Jesus moving among the people with compassion, teaching and healing, and calling his disciples to be laborers in the harvest. Just as the harvest was abundant in Jesus' time, so too is it today. Are we being moved with pity for those around us who are troubled and abandoned, as Jesus was? Saint Ambrose serves as a reminder that every one of us is called to be a laborer in that harvest, nurturing broken souls with love and compassion, but most importantly, to try to imitate the Sacred Heart of our loving Saviour in doing so.
"Blessed are all who wait for the Lord," we sing in the psalm. Waiting is not a passive act; it calls for vigilance and readiness. Saint Ambrose, in his teachings and actions, teaches us to wait expectantly for God's guidance and to have hope in His promises, even amidst the trials and tribulations we face in our daily lives. Through our prayers, works, and interactions with others, we participate in the divine healing process—both for ourselves and for those around us.
As we invoke the intercession of this great saint today, let us ask for his guidance to be ardent teachers and compassionate shepherds in our own communities. May we be gifted with a faith that is able to nourish souls with the Word of God, to bind up the broken-hearted and to call out to those in darkness, shining the light of Christ in our testimony and deeds, for he will lead the way for us, as he did for the likes of Ambrose, Augustine and all the angels and saints. His Kingdom come, and His will be done, now and forever, through Christ our Lord.
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