Letter 45

From: Ambrose, Bishop of Milan To: The newly baptized of Milan Date: ~390 AD Context: A further mystagogical instruction expanding on the meaning of the Eucharist, the Lord's Prayer as taught to the newly baptized, and the proper disposition for receiving communion. Ambrose to the newly illuminated [a term for the newly baptized, reflecting the ancient connection between baptism and spiritual enlightenment]. I spoke to you yesterday about what happened at the font. Today I speak about what happens at the altar. When the priest stands at the altar and speaks the words of Christ — "This is my body," "This is my blood" — something changes. Not the appearance, but the reality. The bread remains bread in appearance; but in truth, it is now the body of Christ. The wine remains wine to the eye; but in truth, it is his blood. How can this be? By the same power that created the world from nothing. If God's word could call the universe into existence, it can transform bread into the body of his Son. Do not measure God's power by your understanding; measure your understanding by God's power. You have also been taught the Lord's Prayer. Notice that it says "our Father," not "my Father." You do not pray alone. The Church prays together, and the prayer of one is the prayer of all. When you say "give us this day our daily bread," you are asking not only for the bread of the table but for the bread of the altar — the Eucharist, which is your daily food for the journey. "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." This is the condition of all prayer. The man who will not forgive cannot be forgiven. It is that simple and that difficult. Approach the altar with reverence and with a clean conscience. If you have sinned, confess before you receive. The Eucharist is medicine for the soul, but medicine taken by the wrong patient in the wrong condition can do harm rather than good. You are children of God now. Live as what you are.

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