Homily Twentieth Thursday of Ordinary Time --Feast of St. Bernard of Clairvaux
Homily Twentieth Thursday of Ordinary Time --Feast of St. Bernard of Clairvaux
St. Bernard was the most famous Cistercian to ever live. His religious order is commonly known as the Trappists. The nearest Trappist monastery to Moline is at New Mallery by Dubuque, Iowa.
I went to seminary at St. Meinrad in Indiana and I lived on campus with the Benedictine priests and brothers. The Trappists were a reform of the Benedictine Order and they follow the Rule of St. Benedict. They would probably say that they keep the rule more rigorously. Having spent time with the Benedictines and on retreat with the Trappists I would say that this is true.
You could compare the Benedictines and the Trappists to the Catholics and the Baptists. Trappists live a very simple lifestyle. Their monasteries are stark in their simplicity. The penitential life is something they embrace every day. Silence is a very important part of the ascetical life they lead.
Bernard of Clairvaux lived in the twelfth century. As a young man he impressed others with his deep faith. He desired to join the Cistercians. The order was just beginning in France. Bernard had a way of inspiring others. When he joined the Trappists he brought thirty relatives and friends with him. Shortly after he was professed the Abbot of his monastery sent him off to begin a new foundation.
Bernard was obviously a Charismatic person because he started many monasteries and his religious community grew by leaps and bonds. We would surmise that he was not afraid to challenge the Christians that he met to live the monastic life. Many, many did join.
Bernard became one of the greatest religious figures of his age. Popes sought his counsel. He was asked to be a bishop, but he turned the office down. He felt that, as a monk, he could not accept such a worldly vocation. He wanted to live the contemplative life in community.
Reflection Questions:
- When is the last time I asked someone to join me in living the Christian life? Am I uncomfortable doing such a thing?
- Bernard was asking the people who joined his monastery to live a life of penance and sacrifice for Christ? Does responding to such a call lead to personal happiness? Why or why not?
Dear Parishioners,
I have invited you to engage in acts of Penance on Fridays during our Novena to the Sacred Heart. This Friday we will be having the fifth Friday of our nine Friday Novena. I am asking parishioners to abstain from meat on these Fridays or to fast as one can.
St. Bernard and the Trappists believe that doing acts of penance is a way of keeping one’s spiritual batteries charged and it is a way of making reparation for the sins of the world. When a person enters a monastery, it is not to escape the world, but to engage more fully with the world through prayer.
To take time to pray and do penance can help us to see the difficulties of the world with the compassionate eyes of Jesus. What better perspective can we have.
May Our Lady and all the Angels and Saints watch over you.
Fr. Mark