Festival of St. Ambrose, Bishop, Confessor, and Doctor
Posted on December 7, 2022 by under
Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:10-17 (NKJV)
3:10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Devotion
St. Ambrose is remembered as a faithful teacher and leader in the Church. He served during a time when there was political and theological persecution. And as St. Paul had instructed Timothy (who would also be a teacher and leader in God’s Church), these things will always be a part of life for those who belong to the Body of Christ Jesus in this world.
Immoral leaders and false teachers will always contend with God’s Kingdom, but that persecution and error are also used by God to strengthen His saints. Christ teaches us to love our enemies. He tried to help those who opposed Him, and He was patient even when they betrayed and assaulted Him. Godless rulers and self-important errorists have come and gone throughout history, but the Lord has kept His Church by the power of His Word, and exalted it through His works of love and righteousness.
In our own time, the realm of politics is still an immoral mess, and false teachers continue to sow confusion about God’s truth. But Christ’s Church will remain. He will continue to protect us during persecutions, and He will continue to send faithful saints who teach righteous wisdom and humility against foolish vanity. Christ has promised to be with us always, even to the end of the age. The long story of His Church and His saints show us that He is, indeed!
Prayer: O God, who didst give St. Ambrose as a faithful teacher of the saving truth in a time of great trial, grant to Thy people zeal for Thy Word and faithful teachers for Thy Church, that they may stand steadfast against all error, through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Collect for Populus Sion
Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to make ready the way of Thine only-begotten Son, so that by His coming we may be enabled to serve Thee with pure minds; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
