Show, then, your wound to the Physician
Ambrose, Concerning Repentance Book II, Concerning Repentance II.8.66-73
St. Ambrose speaks about repentance through the image of a wound shown to a physician. God already knows the wound, yet calls the person to acknowledge it. The image directs the sinner toward Christ rather than toward concealment. Recognition of the need is part of the return being asked for. Ambrose, Concerning Repentance Book II, Concerning Repentance II.8.66-73
Ambrose turns to the woman who weeps at Christ’s feet in Luke 7. The Gospel does not name her as Mary Magdalene, and we should leave her unnamed. Her repentance and the Lord’s forgiveness belong within Ambrose’s argument for the Church’s ministry of repentance. The source gives no reason to reduce that ministry to a private attempt at self-improvement. Ambrose, Concerning Repentance Book II, Concerning Repentance II.8.66-73
Luke describes the woman’s tears, the contrast with Simon’s welcome and Christ’s declaration of forgiveness. The Lord’s words direct her toward peace. Reading the scene accurately lets the acknowledgment of sin remain together with the mercy being received. We do not need to invent her earlier biography to contemplate that encounter. Luke 7:36-50
Orthodox teaching on penance describes repentance, confession and absolution as reconciliation with God and the Church. A wound recognized in prayer can therefore be brought into the Church’s actual care. Ambrose’s image is a summons toward that return, rather than a claim that we can heal ourselves by explaining a fault well enough. Orthodox teaching on penance.
If a fault has become clear, the next response is to acknowledge it honestly, seek the Church’s help and begin amendment. The physician image keeps attention on the One to whom the wound is brought. The Gospel gives a real encounter with mercy, and the Church receives the returning penitent within its life of repentance. Ambrose, Concerning Repentance Book II, Concerning Repentance II.8.66-73
For prayer, use the Lord’s Prayer given by Christ in Matthew 6:9–13.
Sources and edition notes
- Ambrose, Concerning Repentance Book II. Source. Translated by H. de Romestin, E. de Romestin and H.T.F. Duckworth. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, Vol. 10. Edited by Philip Schaff and Henry Wace. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1896.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/34062.htm.
- Penance. Orthodox interpretive context
Scripture references link to these comparison editions: NKJV. Biblical passages are paraphrased. Biblical language within a patristic quotation follows the identified historical English translation.