Remembering Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153)

The readings of the today are appropriate when we consider them in the light of the life of Bernard of Clairvaux. In the first reading from Ezekiel 28:1-10, the prophet speaks out against the arrogance of the king of Tyre whose rule is barbaric and violent. The gospel reading from Matthew 19:23-30 is the familiar text where Jesus claims that “it is easier for the camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven”. I am not quite sure how I feel about Bernard. He was a man of wisdom and holiness. Though born into nobility, he chose in 1112 to enter the monastery at Citaux. Here the monks had chosen to return to the original austerity of the Benedictine order. Three years later Bernard and four of his blood brothers and two dozen friends went and founded a new monastery at Clairvaux where Bernard remained for the rest of his life. By Bernard’s death, this Cistercian Order had grown from one house to 343. Like the prophet Ezekiel, he spoke out against the laxity of the clergy and the corruption of the nobility. His commitment to a life of poverty and prayer, following the words of Jesus, meant that he was often ill. Nevertheless, he entered into the debates and quarrels that wracked the church at that time. He helped to bring about some degree of reconciliation following a period of bitter of schism when there were two popes vying for the loyalty of the church. He challenged church leaders and theologians of his time. Although I wonder about his support for the second crusade, he stood for the values of the gospel. He risked taking sides in the interest of the faithful and the health of the church. In this time when our church, and indeed Christianity around the world, is facing challenges that constantly threaten to divide us let ask for the support, commitment and wisdom of Bernard of Clairvaux so that we not be afraid to honestly argue and rigorously reflect upon what it means to live up to the call to be missionary-disciples of Jesus in our day and age.