7 December 2015
Memorial of Saint Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Today is the memorial of Saint Ambrose, the Bishop of Milan. He had a major influence on Saint Augustine’s life and helped him to journey from heresy to orthodoxy and from sexual immorality to celibacy. Ambrose affected Augustine through his sermons and his exemplary life. Ambrose’s exemplary life, as a devoted bishop and a knowledgeable philosopher, was dearly loved and admired by all who knew him. Thus, Augustine admired him. In his sermons, Ambrose followed the style of a master of Greek orator, Cicero. Ambrose also demonstrated a deep knowledge of philosophy.
Ambrose was able to show Augustine the truth of Christianity so that he might accept it. Ambrose was a role model that Augustine was able to emulate and eventually outshine. After his baptism, Augustine went back to North Africa. He was ordained a priest and became Bishop of Hippo a few years later. Besides serving as priest and bishop, Augustine also produced many important theological works, numerous sermons, letters, and treatises.
Many generations have come and gone, but there are the great heroes like Saint Ambrose who were willing to show forth the truth of Christianity. Let us ponder who our heroes of faith are. In the same vein, is there someone looking to you for guidance and inspiration? You might like to bring your heroes and anyone else in your heart before the Lord now.