Vladimir_Djambov: Happiness, according to St. Ambrose of Mediolanum

Happiness, according to St. Ambrose of Mediolanum

Nikola Antonov

Note: Biblical quotations do not follow the Synodal translation {of BOC), but the text in this work – as the author quoted from memory and we need to comply with his version in order to preserve the original.

The issue of "happiness" has occupied a permanent place in the history of human thought for centuries. It has not been neglected by both the Holy Scripture and the patristic tradition.

An outstanding representative of the Western branch of this tradition is St. Ambrose, Bishop of Mediolanum, – spiritual mentor of the "teacher of the West" Blessed Augustine. The literary heritage of St. Ambrose, whose memory the Church celebrates on December 7, is unmatched in richness and fertility – from his exegetic works, through his pastoral instructions. and all the way to his church poetry – he has left a trail of an original and hot inspiration.

In his old age, from the perspective of an experienced and sagacious cleric, St. Ambrose wrote "On the Offices of Ministers" ["De Officiis Ministrorum" – modeled on Cicero's 'De Officiis'] where he refers acutely the issue of happiness basing himself on gospel truths and ancient philosophical heritage (Vol. II). Lying at the heart of this heritage, of course, are the Greek thinkers conveyed to Latin culture mainly through Cicero in "De officiis". And yet how does Christianity view happiness?

We need first to know that according to the Holy Fathers the concepts of 'happiness', 'bliss'. and 'eternal life' are synonymous, but here's how St. Ambrose answered this question:

Truly happy is the one who does not assess oneself according to other people's judgments, but views oneself through the inner senses as a judge of oneself. Because one is neither after the public opinion for the sake of some reward, nor one fears punishment. And so, the less one seeks glory, the more one rises above it. Because for those who seek glory this true prize is a future shadow that hampers eternal life; for the Gospel reads: "Verily I say unto you, they have already received their reward" (Matt. 6:2).

Further on the Saint interpreted in the light of Scripture the ancient concept of moral virtue (honestas):

Inherent to virtue is either charity, or secret undergoing of fast in order to show that you seek a reward from God Himself, and not from men. For those who seek it from men already have their reward; but those who seek it from God have eternal life, which cannot exist without the Creator of eternity, as it is written, "Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with Me in paradise" (Luk. 23:43).

And regarding the very definition of happiness or bliss the Holy Father wrote:

Divine Scripture has laid eternal life in theologizing and in the fruit of good works... Because of divine knowledge Lord Jesus said: "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the true God, and Jesus Christ, Whom Thou hast sent." (John 17:3). And for good deeds he responded thus, "And everyone that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or sons, or lands for my name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold and shall inherit everlasting life" (Matt. 19:29).

Unlike the conventional idea since Antiquity of happiness as the absence of sufferings (eg. according to Hieronimos of Rhodes), St. Ambrose, having applied a number of examples from the Holy Scripture (especially the last bliss from Matt. 5:11) says:

Therefore, there is happiness also in sufferings, which are reduced and attenuated by manliness filled with sweetness, timing only itself by its own deeds whether because of conscience, or because of God's grace.

In conclusion, we need say that true happiness lies not in bodily and mental comfort, ensuring uneventful living on earth. The bliss of the righteous is filled with anxiety and hard work towards salvation not only of oneself but also of all people, whose death never gives rest to the one who communes with God and holds the keys of divine knowledge. The Bible itself teaches us that spiritual life is dramatic and constantly filled with crisis situations – let's recall the righteous Job. It is in this struggle exactly between the realm of the spirit and "this world" – a struggle waged within us – that we are to see the true meaning of life, i.e. happiness.

Church Gazette, issue. 19 of December 15, 1997