Memorial of Saint Bernard, abbot and Doctor of the Church
(Ezekiel 28:1-10; Matthew 19;23-30)
Today the Church remembers one of the most influential men
of the twelfth century. St. Bernard of Clairvaux not only spear-headed the
Cistercian reform movement of monasticism; he also advised popes and
kings. His message was so compelling
that it brought together the resources for the second crusade.
By the eleventh century Benedictine monasticism had largely
abandoned its founding ideal. A group of
Benedictines founded the monastery at Citeaux, France, to return to manual
labor and prayer. The project floundered
until Bernard joined it with thirty companions.
The Cistercians promoted not only manual work but also poverty as Jesus
recommends in today’s gospel. They
recognized that riches, like power, tends to corrupt and that Jesus called his
followers to a life of simplicity.
Many people today pursue a life of wealth and pleasure. Not infrequently they lose solidarity with
both the poor and the Lord. We must try
to avoid this mortal error. Living
simply in the spirit of St. Bernard, we can find companionship with God and
neighbor.
