MONDAY 7TH DECEMBER 2020
2ND WEEK OF ADVENT
MEMORIAL OF ST. AMBROSE
THE CHRISTIAN FAITH IS LIVED IN THE HEART
It is really true that only God knows who are truly serving him in their hearts. Not everyone who call him Lord will truly enter the kingdom. This is the story of the life of St Ambrose whose memorial we celebrate today. His father held the highest government appointment in Italy and some parts of spain and Portugal were under his jurisdiction. When he died, the family returned to Rome, but because Ambrose was very educated in law and administration like his father, and the fact the he was a gentle and peace loving man who was loved by everyone, the emperor who also had admiration for him, made him governor of Milan.
When the bishop of Milan died, there was dissention among the Christians, especially the arians and orthodox Christians in Milan as to who to be the next bishop. Ambrose who was the governor only came to make peace with the two groups and the people of Milan began to shout that he should be their next bishop. There was the acclamation "AMBROSE FOR BISHOP" At this time, Ambrose was not even baptised; it was customary for people to wait until they were dying before accepting to be baptized. This is because the sacrament of penance had not developed to the stage it is now. Since by popular acclamation the people wanted him as their bishop, he was then baptised, ordained a deacon, priest and a bishop within a week. It was after this that he engaged in theological studies.
St Ambrose was a good administrator and bishop. He took the faith very seriously. His homilies were very appealing and could convert the most hardened of souls. We see it very clearly when St Augustine got his conversation when he listened to St Ambrose preach in the Cathedral in Milan. We can never tell the plans God has for us. God help us. Amen.
Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP
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