Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Abbot, Doctor (1090-1153)
Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 64:1-6 The Election of an Abbot or Abbess
Mass: Solemnity: Wis 7:7-10, 15-15; Resp Ps 89: Ph 3:17-4:1; Jn 17:20-26
For ferial day: Ezk 36:23-38; Resp Ps 51; Mt 22:1-14
Forever I will sing the goodness of God.
THEREFORE I PRAYED, AND PRUDENCE WAS GIVEN ME;
I PLEADED AND THE SPIRIT OF WISDOM CAME TO ME.
(Wis 7:10)
To celebrate Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, here is our reading at Vigils, the following from Bernard's On the Song of Songs, 37, 1 (translated by K. Walsh):
No one is saved without self-knowledge, since it is the source of that humility on which salvation depends, and of the fear of the Lord that is as much the beginning of salvation as of wisdom. No one, I repeat, is saved without that knowledge ... But what if you have no knowledge of God? Is hope of salvation compatible with ignorance about God? Surely not. For you cannot love what you do not know, nor possess what you do not love. Know yourself and you will have a wholesome fear of God; know him and you will also love him. In the first, wisdom has its beginning, in the second its crown, for "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom," and "love is the fulfilling of the law." You must avoid both kinds of ignorance, because without fear and love salvation is not possible. Other matters are irrelevant in this context; to know them does not guarantee salvation, nor does ignorance of them mean damnation.
As we celebrate the great Abbot Bernard of Clairvaux, it is fitting that we begin two days of reading Saint Benedict's Chapter 64 on the Election of an Abbot: "Goodness of life and wisdom in teaching must be the criteria for choosing the one to be made abbot, even if he is last in community rank" (RB 64:2). Saint Bernard and Saint Benedict, intercede for all men and women who serve as abbot or abbess.
SAINT BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX,
PRAY FOR US.
Today's photo: Spectacular sunrise color on Mount Rainier, WA. Thank you, Catherine.© Gertrude Feick 2020
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