Don Bosco Philippines South Province

Homily on Wednesday, 2nd Week of Advent, 7 Dec 2022

We are now in the second week of our Advent preparation.  This week the liturgy offers several guides, models and inspirations for us to follow as we journey a bit closer towards Christmas.  Last Sunday the liturgy presented to us St. John the Baptist who preached a message of hope and salvation and lived a simple and austere lifestyle in accordance with the good news he proclaimed.  Tomorrow we will be celebrating the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of our Blessed Mother who was made sinless from the very moment of her conception in view of her vocation and mission as Mother of the Redeemer.    

Today the liturgy of the Church presents to us another inspirational model in the person of St Ambrose whose memorial we celebrate.  St Ambrose never had plans of becoming a priest and much less a bishop. In fact he was a politician, serving as the governor of Aemilia-Liguria in Milan, Northern part of Italy. Having studied literature, law and rhetoric (or the art of speaking) he showed competence in his work and enjoyed a good reputation among the people.  And so he was happy, at peace and fulfilled as a politician.

However, when the bishop of Milan died in the year 374, his life took a different turn. By popular acclamation he suddenly found himself being nominated to succeed as the next bishop.   This is surprisingly how it happened. On the day he entered the church where the heated election of the next bishop was taking place he knew that, as the reigning governor, his only purpose was to intervene and pacify the assembly. But then while he was still giving his address, someone from the crowd shouted “Ambrose for bishop.” At first he vehemently refused since he was neither baptized as a Christian nor was he trained in Theology.  He hid himself for some days until he was finally persuaded to accept the position. 

So within one week Ambrose was baptized as a Christian, he was ordained a priest and then consecrated bishop. He led the diocese of Milan as no one ever did before.  He chose to live a simple and ascetic lifestyle, apportioned his money to the poor, and donated all of his land away. After undertaking a crushed course in Scriptures and Theology he was able to write many literary and exegetical works about the Bible, Christian doctrine, catechesis and spirituality; he even composed some hymns which the Church continues to sing until today.  He fought sharply against Arianism and other heresies. He opposed erring leaders who made wrong decisions which had very serious consequences.

I guess, of all his achievements this is what stands out most.  Let me share it with you thru a story. One day while he was preaching in the Cathedral of Milan he particularly moved the heart of someone in the assembly who was pagan philosopher from North Africa.  Having been inspired and enlightened by the words of the bishop, this man got converted and was soon baptised by him.  He would later be ordained a priest and then made bishop of Hippo. And many years later he would be proclaimed a saintly doctor of the Church. Everyone knows him today as St. Augustine, a saint “begotten” by another saint.

By being open to the Spirit of the Lord St Ambrose’ life shifted from worldly politics to the pastoral care of the Lord’s flock. And by zealously attending to the needs and concerns of everyone under his care, he became a saint who begot another saint.  

What about us? What could be the Lord’s call for us today?  What could he be inviting us to leave behind so that He may be born in us and that we in turn may allow Him to be born also in the hearts of other people? As we celebrate this Advent Mass may this Eucharist open our hearts more fully to God’s Word in order to allow Jesus to be born in us so that through us he may also be born in many other people. GiGsss!

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