Commemoration of St. Ambrose of Milan, Pastor and Hymn writer, +397

• Most saint’s days are the day they died and entered into the Presence awaiting our final Easter day, but Bp. Ambrose did not die on this date.  On this day in AD 374, he was baptized, ordained priest and consecrated bishop! How did those 3 events all take place on one day?
• Ambrose is the first western Church father to be born, raised and educated not as a pagan but as a Christian. Born in 339 in what is now Trier,France.  His father was Prefect of Gaul, the governor of a large part of Europe.  Ambrose studied the classics and the law at Rome and before he was 33 was named governor of Liguria and Aemilia, with headquarters at Milan, which was that time of the imperial court.  When the  heretical Arian bishop of that city died, Ambrose settled the violence between the Arians and the Catholics.  Both sides insisted that Ambrose become their bishop. He had not been baptized because the custom at the time was to wait for baptism till late in life so that one might cleansed close to the time of death.  But on this date baptism, ordination and consecration all took place.
• He gave away a portion of his family wealth to the poor and was a strict ascetic.
• He is the only Church father for which we have a portrait:  the picture of the mosaic below.
• The Empress Justina was jealous of Ambrose’s growing importance.  She demanded that the Bishop give her one of “his” basilicas.   When Ambrose declined a riot broke out and Justina demanded the bishop’s cathedral. This occured during Lent and when Ambrose refused the Empress’ second request fights broke out between the Catholics and the imperial troops.  An edict against the Catholics was promulgated in June 386 and Ambrose was summoned to appear before the Emperor.  he refused to obey the edict. He took refuge in the cathedral with his congregation.  The basilica was surrounded by imperial troops.  Ambrose and the Lord’s people spent the time singing Psalms and the hymns that Ambrose had written.  At length, the imperial court rescinded the edict.
• A brilliant young Manichean philosopher, who had a child out of wedlock and who’s Christian mother prayed for his conversion daily, attended Mass  at Milan because of the Ambrose’s preaching.  The man was St. Augustine.   Bp. Ambrose baptized Augustine at Milan at Easter, 397.
• In The Book of Concord: The Confessions of the Lutheran Church, Ambrose is cited nine time, of which six are quotes in order to demonstrate that salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, and not by works, is Catholic  (yes, capital ‘C’!) doctrine, as in this quote from  Ambrose  in the Apology of the Augsburg Confession:  “…let no one glory in his works since no one is justified by his deeds.  But he who is rightous has it as a giftbecause he was justified after being washed.  It is faith therefore  that frees men through the blood of Christ;  for ‘blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.’ (Ps. 32: 1).”
• Ambose died at Milan on Easter Eve, April 4, 397.  One comment:  many in our day want to put a wedge between creed and deed, truth and love, faith and service.  It is not true!  St. Ambrose’s life in Christ Jesus is proof that the fruit of faith (truth, pure doctrine, strictness) is serving the neighbor in love both our daily bread and the Bread of Life.
• The Roman Empire was in decline and in that cultural transition Ambrose was noted for his preaching, writing, organizing, administering and hymn writing. Three hymns are attributed to him  in the Lutheran Service Book including the great Advent hymn, Savior of the Nations, Come: