Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial
of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Abb. D., (20th August, 2016) on the
Gospel and the Memorial
Ezek 43:1-7;
Ps 84:9-14. (R. cf. v. 10);Matt 23:1-12.
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (1090 – 20th August, 1153)
was born of noble parentage in Burgundy, France. His pious parents sent him at
an early age to a college at Chatillon. Fearing the snares and temptations of
the world, he embraced the Cistercian Order. He was sent by his superior with
twelve other monks to found a new monastery at Clairvaux. Saint Bernard was
appointed Abbot. He founded numerous monasteries, composed a number of works
and undertook many journeys for the honour of God. He refused several
Bishoprics offered to him. Popes were governed by his advice. He was
commissioned by Pope Eugene III to preach the second Crusade. In obedience to
the Sovereign Pontiff he travelled through France and Germany, and aroused the
greatest enthusiasm for the holy war among the masses of the population. The
failure of the expedition raised a great storm against the saint, but he
attributed it to the sins of the Crusaders. St. Bernard was eminently endowed
with the gift of miracles.[1]
Topic: Between duty and honour.
Jesus urged His listeners to do and to follow what the
scribes and the Pharisees taught because they occupied Moses’ seat. However,
they should not follow their example because they did not practice what they taught.
They do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make
their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. They love to have the place of
honour at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, and to be greeted with
respect in the marketplaces, and to have people call them rabbi.
The sacred office the scribes and the Pharisees occupied meant
nothing to them. Hence, Jesus often rebuked them.
Each of us also occupies sacred office. I do not mean few in
the religious life. These offices mean nothing to many. Hence many hustle for other
ones they consider higher. Some mothers do not consider themselves fully mothers
because they have not been termed ‘Life members,’ Mother of this or that, even when
there is nothing to justify any. Fathers and youths are not different. Even priests
are not fulfilled because they have not been made pastors, monsignori, bishops,
and so on. All these are geared towards either real or imagined honour and very
far from the duties.
Many Bishoprics were offered to Saint Bernard but he rejected
them all. Yet today, he is both a saint and a doctor of the Church. We must be
very careful. Jesus concludes, “All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and
all who humble themselves will be exalted.” True honour comes after labour/duties.
Bible Reading: 1Pt 5:1-11.
Thought for today: You occupy a sacred office.
Let us pray: Lord, help us to realise how sacred
our positions are and also give us the graces necessary to fulfil their demands
– Amen.
Saint Bernard – Pray for us.
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