Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, 397

Ambrose is known as one of the Doctors of the Church, not for any inclination toward the medical arts, but because he became a great teacher and leader in the most unlikely of ways. He was born into a Christian family in the Roman Empire, and his father served as prefect (governor) of Gaul (similar post as that of Pontius Pilate nearly four centuries earlier). As an adult, Ambrose rose to the same position in northern Italy, and when the Bishop of Milan died in 373, the church council gathering in the cathedral there was in deep conflict over whether to seek a new bishop who was Arian or Athanasian/orthodox. Perhaps that seems a distant trifle to us, but it was a matter of life and death for many at the time, and Ambrose went to the steps of the church (as a political leader) seeking to strive for a peaceful convocation, but was met by delegates who began to chant "Ambrose for bishop" or some such rally cry. Much to his chagrin, momentum for his election grew rapidly, and he was elected soon thereafter. Problem was that he had never been baptized. He tried to hide in a friend's home, to no avail, and within a week's time had been baptized, ordained a priest, and consecrated Bishop of Milan--a post he held until his death on 4 April 397 (his feast day is 7 December which is the day of his consecration as bishop).


He became an avid anti-Arian in teaching and tactical leadership, and his fame grew as a writer of treatises on orthodox statements of faith and as a hymn writer. He was instrumental in the conversion of Augustine, and he reportedly had a special gift of charismatic preaching that reached the masses and the educated elite at once. He was unabashed in his communication with emperors whose use of power was antithetical to the gospel. In one instance, after the emperor Theodosius had slaughtered thousands of innocent citizens in Salonika, he publicly rebuked the emperor and demanded public contrition and penance.


He is attributed with the following reflection of poetic and inspiring beauty: “Lord Jesus Christ, you are for me medicine when I am sick; you are my strength when I need help; you are life itself when I fear death; you are the way when I long for heaven; you are light when all is dark; you are my food when I need nourishment.”


The lyrics of some of his hymns can be reviewed at: http://victorcauchi.fortunecity.com/christwrit/hymns.htm


O God, you gave your servant Ambrose grace eloquently to proclaim your righteousness in the great congregation, and fearlessly to bear reproach for the honor of your Name: Mercifully grant to all bishops and pastors such excellence in preaching and faithfulness in ministering your Word, that your people may be partakers with them of the glory that shall be revealed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.