“The Church of the Lord is built upon the rock of the apostles among so many dangers in the world; it therefore remains unmoved. The Church’s foundation is unshakable and firm against assaults of the raging sea. Waves lash at the Church but do not shatter it. Although the elements of this world constantly beat upon the Church with crashing sounds, the Church possesses the safest harbor of salvation for all in distress. There is a stream which flows down on God’s saints like a torrent. There is also a rushing river giving joy to the heart that is at peace and makes for peace.”
Ambrose of Milan (337-397) Letter 2 cf. Witness of the Saints: Readings in the Liturgy of Hours, ed. Milton Walsh (San Francisco: Ignatius, 2012) 359.
This morning I chose to read Ambrose because he is one of the four doctors of the Western Church, and renown as “the Pastoral Doctor” in church history. As I begin teaching my first D.Min. course today at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, I desire to be a pastoral doctor.
I was moved by Ephesians 2 this morning and by the perspective of Ambrose on it. I felt led to remind my students and each of you of the stewardship of the pastor: “the Church possesses the safest harbor of salvation for all in distress.”
Additionally, I loved his statement that “there is a stream which flows down on God’s saints…giving joy to the heart that is at peace and makes for peace” because God granted me the priceless gift of peaceful fly fishing with my son in some alpine streams this month.
Thus, as a bonus today, enjoy this three-minute video Sammy made after one of our outings: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGm-F2AiJRQ