Learning From the Saints

 Life is a serious business. Not many realize this until death calls. And what is death? Death is our daily living. Or other-wordly put: this life, which we think we are living, is a gradual dying in time. Every time we sleep is another time we die; and every time we wake up is yet another opportunity to die well. It goes on thus, until we sleep one day and never wake up here, but in the precincts of eternity where we can now finally live, or fully die. Life is a choice; but sometimes it is scary having to choose while being blindfolded; or rather making choices without knowing the repercussions.

In-between these lines lie stories of bravery, sacrifice and resilience shown and lived amidst Sanctity, Innocence and Nobility, to say the least. Within this page is found inspiring stories, each unique on its own, of men and women; girls and boys, who went through the harsh realities of life (like we're doing) and came out on top (not unscathed, but with many bruises, wounds, scars and pains) - not because of what they were or did, but because of who they followed - the Way, the Truth and the Life. ...And because they followed the Way, were never lost...Nor were they deceived by the lies of this world because they followed and knew the Truth...Now they live a life that endures beyond time, undying and refined, because they followed Him who is the Life. They have seen the Father, hence they have known Him, just because they went through this Way. They have the light of life because they follow Him wherever He goes.

When we read through, we'll see their heroics, some of which we ourselves cannot replicate; and truly which they never imagined they could bring forth. Except we develop their passion, and their inspirations, we cannot do anything. The goal is not so much as being like them, as being like Jesus. Our story cannot be theirs; but our story can be unique in doing different things with the same love they did theirs.

We begin our lessons with at least a December saint. All saints for the 31 days of December are important, but of these, I admire the lives of two greatly: St. John the Evangelist and St. Ambrose of Milan. Of St. John there isn't much more we can say than what the Bible tells us, and a little from the Traditions. Many may be familiar with this, though I could bring it up here someday. However, we will focus our attention on St. Ambrose (Bishop of Milan and Doctor of the Church)

ST. AMBROSE of Milan (Bp and Doctor) - (339 - 397)

There are at least seven doctors of the Church, and St. Ambrose has been among the original four. Born Ambrosius Aurelius around 339 or 340 AD to a Roman Christian Parents. He, together with his siblings were brought up in Germany (Belgic Gaul at that time). Something perculiar happened when Ambrose was an infant: On a cot where he was, a swarm of bees encircled him, and left on him a drop of honey. This made his father and those around predict his future oratorical prowess. At the wake of his father's demise, he was taken to Rome for studies where he became a certified lawyer. Nothing else is known of his childhood.

Ambrose went on to be the great orator he was muted to be and found himself in exalted positions in the Roman society. Christianity in Rome was on the rise, and Ambrose was a catechumen preparing for baptism and reception into the Church during Easter. This was so because infant baptism was not rampant at the time, and was even discouraged, though not prohibited. This was on the grounds that baptised adults could better take care of their faith than children placed over the baptismal fonts at infancy.

It happened that the then bishop of Milan died, and a replacement was sought among the clergy of the time. There was disagreements among the members of the said clergy as to who would occupy the vacant seat, and this lingered for some time. However, as governor of Milan, Ambrose was obligated to maintain law and order, and on an occasion, he went as a lay catechumen to ensure this was so among the clergy looking to elect a new bishop. On one of these occasions, when Ambrose arrived, the voice of a little child proclaimed: "Let Ambrose be the Bishop", and this became a unanimous agreement among the clergy. However, Ambrose, on hearing this, took to flight and went into hiding. Sooner than later, he was discovered and, though not forcefully, was baptised, ordained and consecrated the Bishop of Milan. Ambrose went on to lead the flock entrusted to him by example and patience; while defending the Church from the activities and doctrines of Heretics and practices of Pagans. He employed his oratorical skills in defeating so many opponents in arguments against the Church and Her teachings. After his ordination and subsequent consecration, Ambrose gave up all he had (Money and properties alike) to the Church and to the poor.

Ambrose it was through whom the famous St. Augustine was converted and baptised before which the former's mother St. Monica had approached the good bishop severally to help her son. God heard her prayers and cries through this holy bishop of Milan. Ambrose, in his time contributed immensely in preaching, teaching and writing to the growth of the peoples' faith. His writings centre majorly on issues concerning the Blessed Virgin Mary, and especially on the Virgin Birth, and virginity after the birth of Jesus. He was bishop for about 23 years, and sometime during his episcopacy the world witnessed the fall of the Milan to Magnus Maximus. Ambrose remained in Milan thus suffering with the people during this carnage. Theodocius I was the emperor of the east at the time, and would suffer public penance later on when Ambrose the bishop excommunicated him on account of the massacre of about 7000 persons.

Ambrose was generous to the poor for he believed that the wealth of the wealthy was given by God to be shared equally among all. He died on April 4, 397, and his remains remain displayed in the Basilica d' Ambrogio in Milan.