Bernard of Clairvaux

 Today the church remembers Bernard of Clairvaux (died 1153). If you don't have time to read his 86 sermons on (part of) The Song of Songs, you might care to Google the hymns attributed to him:

"O Sacred Head, Now Wounded"

"Jesus the Very Thought of Thee"

"Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts"

It is fascinating to see Bernard praised by both Reformers and Popes. In humanist circles in the 16th and 17th Centuries it became common to refer to The “Mellifluous Doctor” as the last but not the least of the Fathers of the Church. The Reformation is sometimes thought of as a battle over the legacy of Augustine, but a similar point could be made about Bernard when we think of his attitude to Mary, the Crusades, monasticism and justification.

Vinita Hampton Wright reflects that it is impressive that Bernard, a vowed celibate in an age uncomfortable with sex, should take on The Song and find there love, aching desire, yearning which can be fulfilled only ultimately in the satisfaction of divine love. Sex for us is so often bound up with fear, or worship, or mutilation but it should speak to us of a passionate integrity of body and soul which is not so far from the love of God.

Bernard, sermon introduction, On Conversion: "You have come, I believe, to hear the Word of God. I can see no other reason why you should rush here like this! I approve this desire with all my heart, and I rejoice with you in your praiseworthy zeal." Quotes Ps 103:18; 30:5; Ez 18:23; Mt 18:3; 1 Pet 4:6 etc. etc. and exhorts them to obey the word. He seems to have forgotten to start with a joke, funny story or item from the newspaper.

The following are paraphrased / inspired by On Conversion, not necessarily exact / direct quotations:

You can be converted only by the inner voice of God, which is a word of power and magnificence. It is not hard to hear this voice; rather, the difficulty is shutting it out. This voice is a ray of light which shows you yourself, your sin, your inner darkness. This voice, this light, are the Son of God, the Word of the Father, the brightness of his glory.

Preaching to the scholars and students on Paris, he tells them, amongst other things, that God knows all about any rapes they have committed.

One way Bernard thinks of the penalty of sin is to be trapped with yourself for ever with no possibility of improvement.

It is fitting that those who have spurned the delights of the Father's table should long for the swine's husks but find no satisfaction in them

Nothing is more certain in life than death; nothing more uncertain than the hour of death

Do not be complacent even though you belong to the church for the fishermen do not keep all the contents of their nets - the dead fish they throw away.

We will all reap what we sow. Both the righteous and the foolish will be surprised by the abundance of the harvest, good or bad, so let us never think there is any small sin.