So far from being able to answer for my sins, I cannot even answer for my righteousness!
“So far from being able to answer for my sins, I cannot even answer for my righteousness!” Bernard of Clairvaux
Understanding is the sure and clear knowledge of some invisible thing.
“Understanding is the sure and clear knowledge of some invisible thing.” Bernard of Clairvaux
What does God hate or punish except self-will? Let self-will cease, and there will be no hell. On what does that fire feed except on self-will?
“What does God hate or punish except self-will? Let self-will cease, and there will be no hell. On what does that fire feed except on … Read More
There are some who wish to learn for no other reason than that they may be looked upon as learned, which is ridiculous vanity … Others desire to learn that they may morally instruct others, that is love. And, lastly, there are some who wish to learn that they may be themselves edified; and that is prudence.
“There are some who wish to learn for no other reason than that they may be looked upon as learned, which is ridiculous vanity … … Read More
Prostrate, see Thy cross I grasp,And Thy pierced feet I clasp;Gracious Jesus, spurn me not;On me, with compassion fraught,Let Thy glances fall.Thy cross of agony,My Beloved, look on me;Turn me wholly unto Thee;”Be thou whole,” say openly:”I forgive thee all.
“Prostrate, see Thy cross I grasp,And Thy pierced feet I clasp;Gracious Jesus, spurn me not;On me, with compassion fraught,Let Thy glances fall.Thy cross of agony,My … Read More
Thus understanding and love, that is, the knowledge of and delight in the truth, are, as it were, the two arms of the soul, with which it embraces and comprehends with all the saints the length and breath, the height and depth, that is the eternity, the love, the goodness, and the wisdom of God.
“Thus understanding and love, that is, the knowledge of and delight in the truth, are, as it were, the two arms of the soul, with … Read More
Among us on the earth there is His memory; but in the Kingdom of heaven His very Presence. That Presence is the joy of those who have already attained to beatitude; the memory is the comfort of us who are still wayfarers, journeying towards the Fatherland.
“Among us on the earth there is His memory; but in the Kingdom of heaven His very Presence. That Presence is the joy of those … Read More
God has aroused the spirit of kings and princes to root up from the earth the enemies of the Christian name. Therefore gird yourselves manfully and take up joyful arms for the name of Christ.
“God has aroused the spirit of kings and princes to root up from the earth the enemies of the Christian name. Therefore gird yourselves manfully … Read More
A pretext is never lacking to him who would break with a friend.
“A pretext is never lacking to him who would break with a friend.” Bernard of Clairvaux
Obey your bishop! “Obey those set over you [Heb 13:17],” the teachers of the Church… I remind you, my dear friends, of what I said when I was with you: do not receive any outside or unknown preacher, unless he be sent by your bishop or preaches with the permission of the pope. For “how shall they preach unless they are sent [Rom 10:15]?”
“Obey your bishop! “Obey those set over you [Heb 13:17],” the teachers of the Church… I remind you, my dear friends, of what I said … Read More
The more I contemplate God, the more God looks on me. The more I pray to him, the more he thinks of me too.
“The more I contemplate God, the more God looks on me. The more I pray to him, the more he thinks of me too.” Bernard … Read More
I do a great wrong in His sight, when I beseech Him that He will hear my prayer, which as I give utterance to it, I do not hear myself. I entreat Him that He will think of me; but I regard neither myself nor Him. Nay, what is worse, turning over corrupt and evil thoughts in mine heart, I thrust a dreadful offensiveness into His presence.
“I do a great wrong in His sight, when I beseech Him that He will hear my prayer, which as I give utterance to it, … Read More
What of the souls already released from their bodies? We believe that they are overwhelmed in that vast sea of eternal light and of luminous eternity
“What of the souls already released from their bodies? We believe that they are overwhelmed in that vast sea of eternal light and of luminous … Read More
Our King [Jesus] is accused of treachery; it is said of him [by the Muslims] that he is not God, but that he falsely pretended to be something he was not.
“Our King [Jesus] is accused of treachery; it is said of him [by the Muslims] that he is not God, but that he falsely pretended … Read More
From the best bliss that earth imparts, we turn unfilled to Thee again.
“From the best bliss that earth imparts, we turn unfilled to Thee again.” Bernard of Clairvaux
There are three distinct comings of the Lord of which I know: His coming to men, His coming into men, and His coming against men.
“There are three distinct comings of the Lord of which I know: His coming to men, His coming into men, and His coming against men.” … Read More
Prayer is a wine which makes glad the heart of man
“Prayer is a wine which makes glad the heart of man” Bernard of Clairvaux
“My burden is light,” said the blessed Redeemer, a light burden indeed, which carries him that bears it. I have looked through all nature for a resemblance of this, and seem to find a shadow of it in the wings of a bird, which are indeed borne by the creature, and yet support her flight towards heaven.
“”My burden is light,” said the blessed Redeemer, a light burden indeed, which carries him that bears it. I have looked through all nature for … Read More
Nothing can work me damage except myself. The harm that I sustain I carry about with me, and never am a real sufferer but by my own fault.
“Nothing can work me damage except myself. The harm that I sustain I carry about with me, and never am a real sufferer but by … Read More
Have death always before your eyes as a salutary means of returning to God.
“Have death always before your eyes as a salutary means of returning to God.” Bernard of Clairvaux