The Ancient Witnesses

Chapter 4: The Unfolding of Time, Part 1 • 127

testify in the Crux. 15 Reading from the Bible, the Bishop commented on the story of Abraham. “When he was tested,” began Ambrose, “Abraham proved courageous; When he was stirred up he proved faithful; and when he was called he proved righteous;” 16 I began taking notes in my journal. “But why is it,” asked Ambrose, “that Moses recalled the lives of the patriarchs in such detail for us? What did he mean for us to learn from the example of Abraham?” An old man among the hearers offered an answer to the Bishop’s question, “Whatever happened bodily to Abraham is fulfilled spiritually in us,” said the old man. “And since God commanded Abraham to leave your country, your kinfolk, and your father’s house , we believe that all these things are fulfilled in us as we participate in the sacrament of baptism.” 17 Everyone listened respectfully to the man, who continued, “Our land is our body! We go forth from our land if we abandon our fleshly habits to follow in the footsteps of Christ. We leave our kinfolk behind when through

15 See page 103.

16 Based on Ambrose of Milan, On Abraham 2.3.9. Compare Saint Ambrose of Milan, On Abraham , translated by Theodosia Thompkinson (Etna, California: Samford University Press, 2000), 50ff. The text is found in Patrologia Latina 14, 442: Tentatur ut fortis, incitatur ut fidelis, provocatur ut Justus.

17 Caesarius of Arles, Sermon 81 in Father of the Church series, volume 47, pages 3-6.