August 20th honor St. Bernard!
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux is considered a Doctor of the Church for his writings and preaching, but was adamant that both are empty if not done in love – for a true preacher must reach people’s hearts not to impress them with arrogant intellect and scholarly words.
His faith and zeal centered around God’s love for us – never ending.
His devotion to Mary was evident in his prayer life.
His letters, sermons, and poems have inspired Christians for centuries to be people of reflection, compassion, and action.
From one of his sermons,
“Blessed,” he says, “are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called
the children of God” (Mt 5:9).
Consider carefully that it is not
the people who call for peace but
those who make peace
who are commended.
For there are those who talk
but do nothing (Mt 23:3).
For just as it is not the hearers of the law but
the doers who are righteous
(Rom 2:13),
so it is not those who preach peace but
the authors of peace
who are blessed.”
St. Bernard of Clairvaux was born in France in 1090 and died on August 20, 1153.
