THEOSISAmbrose of Milan
In court, refrain from displaying personal feelings, as this could lead to bias; instead, let the principles of justice guide your decisions. Favoring the elite at the cost of the vulnerable or wrongly accusing the innocent while exonerating the guilty tarnishes our collective integrity and undermines our trust. Humanity often tends to lean towards the powerful to avoid their disapproval; thus, if fear of offense governs you, it is better not to render judgment at all. Whether you are a bishop or hold any other position, refrain from inciting conflict. You may choose to maintain silence in financial matters, although demonstrating firmness by standing for justice is commendable. However, when the welfare of the community is at stake, remaining silent is a serious sin.
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Blessed Augustine reflects on the significant time St. Ambrose invested in legal matters. The saint meticulously details his involvement in various court disputes in several letters. What advantage is there in siding with the affluent? Perhaps it is the expectation of quicker rewards for loyalty? It is a common inclination to prefer those from whom we anticipate gratitude in return. Thus, extending compassion to the weak and needy becomes even more critical. For the impoverished, we trust in the gracious reward from our Lord Jesus, who came to us as a source of abundance, providing a striking example of virtue. The Lord instructs us to first offer assistance to those unable to repay our kindness and to invite the marginalized rather than the wealthy to share our meals. Inviting the affluent implies a hope of reciprocation, while offering hospitality to the poor, who cannot repay, brings blessings from the Lord, who has promised to uphold the downtrodden.