The Sweetness of Words: The Gifts of St. Ambrose in Prayer and Song

"How sweet to my tongue is your promise, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" Psalm 119:103

In writing this post on St. Ambrose in remembrance of his feast day, I have to share that I am staring a bit at a blank page--very much as he is portrayed above in this painting by Matthais Stom. I am at a bit of a loss for words to reflect upon when writing about someone of such huge importance and impact. However, I must admit that it is a bit of a fun idea, isn't it, to think that one of the greats could have experienced the dreaded blank page just like me!

I have a strong feeling that my situation of a loss for words never really affected this honey-tongued orator as it does me this evening. A lawyer and governor of Liguria/Emilia, mentor to St. Augustine, defender of Orthodoxy against the Arian heresy that plagued the time, and patron of Milan surely always had something important to say. And thank God he did.

Legend has it that as a baby, a swarm of bees left droplets of honey on him, in essence anointing him and calling him to his future vocation of preaching the Word of God in a way reminiscent of Psalm 119 in which the words of Scripture he preached were sweeter than honey. Eloquent, thoughtful, resolute, convicted, St. Ambrose was a force who would be one of the only voices and influences to help calm the raging storm of conflicted feelings and thoughts in the restless heart of Augustine.

A pivotal figure in Christian music, he established congregational singing that defended the Faith against heresy teaching believers that music should unite through harmony and echo God's Word. One of his most famous Advent hymns is partiularly appropriate this Sunday as we prepare for the coming of Christ:

O Come, Redeemer of Mankind, Appear

O come, Redeemer of mankind, appear,

thee with full hearts the Virgin-born we greet;

let every age with rapt amazement hear

that wondrous birth which for our God is meet.

Not by the will of man, or mortal seed,

but by the Spirit’s breathed mysterious grace

the Word of God became our flesh indeed,

and grew a tender plant of human race...

How doth thy lowly manger radiant shine!

On the sweet breath of night new splendour grows;

so may our spirits glow with faith Divine,

where no dark cloud of sin shall interpose.

So, on this second Sunday of Advent, where does St. Ambrose lead us? In my heart, he is guiding us to look for meaning in everyday life. The Paschal candle was brought to us by St. Ambrose--this beautiful, bee-made symbol of Christ's light and life in us can lead us, with one glance, to reflect on patience, community and purpose. He encourages us to sing in praise of God together. Singing together opens the heart to God's Word and unites us together--with every note we sing, we weave together a beautiful tapestry, in song, of faith. And lastly, looking at his life, he shows us the power and importance of seeking mentors and community. Did St. Ambrose know that his words, so sweet, would transform the heart of Augustine's to accept Jesus Christ as His Savior?

I'd like to think that he was always so confident and convicted that he was an anchor, a true mentor, of steadiness and resolution in faith providing a safe, and sweet, harbor for the soul.

St. Ambrose, pray for us!