Ambrose Of Milan

For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light—for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. – Ephesians 4:8-10

Dear Friends,

As I was preparing worship for Sunday, August 26, I came upon this prayer:

“O Lord, who has mercy upon all, take away from me my sins, and mercifully kindle in me the fire of Your Holy Spirit. Take away from me the heart of stone, and give me a heart of flesh, a heart to love and adore You, a heart to delight in You, to follow and to enjoy You, for Christ’s sake.” (St Ambrose of Milan, 337–397 AD, posted on Leonard Sweet’s Preach the Story.)

I was impressed with the prayer, so I looked up some articles on Ambrose. I must admit my naiveite concerning many historical church figures.

He was unusual in that he was elected Bishop of Milan before he was even baptized. On December 7, 374 he was baptized, ordained and consecrated as Bishop on the same day. December 7 is the commemoration of Ambrose of Milan in the church year.

He was very influential as a church leader. He taught the Divinity of Christ, directly confronting heresies of the day. He wrote hymns. One is a well-known hymn entitled “Savior of the Nations Come”. He also taught and baptized another well know church figure, Augustine of Hippo.

One story which impresses me is an encounter he had with the Roman Emperor, Theodosius. Theodosius had ordered the massacre of several thousand people in the city of Thessalonica. Ambrose refused to allow the Emperor entrance to the church and refused the Emperor the Lord’s Supper until the Emperor repented. Eventually the Emperor repented and was allowed back into the life of the Church.

Ambrose died in April of April 4, 397 in Milan.

I use this merely to show how the lives of people go from one place to another.

Where is your life going?

Peace,

Ricky Adams
Pastor
Peace Lutheran Church
Mill Valley, California