20th August Saint Bernard HOMILY by Cardinal Keith Patrick O’Brien. The Cardinal’s words developed from the classic passage from the mellifluous Doctor, St. Bernard. (Reading below) “Love” speaks of the calling, the apostolate, the pastoral caring, as Bishop, monks, laity, fills the measure to give all to God. Pictures of the visit of the Cardinal to the Abbey. A READING from the sermons by St. Bernard on the Song of Songs. Serm. 83,4-6 I love because I love, I love that I may love Love is sufficient of itself, it gives pleasure by itself and because of itself. It is its own merit, its own reward. Love looks for no cause outside itself, no effect beyond itself. Its profit lies in its practice. I love because I love, I love that I may love. Love is a great thing so long as it continually returns to its fountainhead, flows back to its source, always drawing from there the water which constantly replenishes it. Of all the movements, sensations and feelings of the soul, love is the only one in which the creature can respond to the Creator and make some sort of similar return however unequal though it be. For when God loves, all he desires is to be loved in return; the sole purpose of his love is to be loved, in the knowledge that those who love him are made happy by their love of him. The Bridegroom’s love, or rather the love which is the Bridegroom, asks in return nothing but faithful love. Let the beloved, then, love in return. Should not a bride love, and above all, Love’s bride? Could it be that Love not be loved? Rightly then does she give up all other feelings and give herself wholly to love alone; in giving love back, all she can do is to respond to love. And when she has poured out her whole being in love, what is that in comparison with the unceasing torrent of that original source? Clearly, lover and Love, soul and Word, bride and Bridegroom, creature and Creator do not flow with the same volume; one might as well equate a thirsty man with the fountain. What then of the bride’s hope, her aching desire, her passionate love, her confident assurance? Is all this to wilt just because she cannot match stride for stride with her giant, any more than she can vie with honey for sweetness, rival the lamb for gentleness, show herself as white as the lily, burn as bright as the sun, be equal in love with him who is Love? No. It is true that the creature loves less because she is less. But if she loves with her whole being, nothing is lacking where everything is given. To love so ardently then is to share the marriage bond; she cannot love so much and not be totally loved, and it is in the perfect union of two hearts that complete and total marriage consists. Or are we to doubt that the soul is loved by the Word first and with a greater love?

Eve of St Bernard

On the Eve of St. Bernard, the community Chapter Sermon was by Br. Patrick

----- Forwarded Message ---- From  Patrick …> Sent: August 19, 2010 Subject: Eve of ST BERNARD ST BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX Bernard of Clairvaux is surely one of the most outstanding figures in the history of western civilization.  To recount his life would be to write the history of the monastic orders, of orthodox theology, of heretical doctrines, of the second crusade, of the destinies of France, Germany and Italy for a period of almost forty years.  He was the colossus of the twelfth century, spanning both ecclesiastical and civil society.  Counsellor and reconciler of popes and kings, his tireless activity and his profound an extensive writings touched on every aspect of human life and left an indelible mark on the Christian civilisation of the west.             I think most of us are familiar with the outline of his life.  Born in1090 to a family of the lower nobility, he entered the monastery at Citeaux at the age of twenty two, along with thirty of his close family and friends, he was the son of a crusader and his family, particularly his other, were renowned for their charity and devotion to the church Few monasteries could ever have boasted so large a number of eager postulants at one time and in the worn down community of Citeaux, these dynamic young people breathed new life.  Three years later, Bernard was appointed abbot of the new foundation at Clairvaux.  With the new and vigorous life that Bernard had breathed into the Cistercian Order, it continued to flourish and expand.  In 1118   Clairvaux founded three daughter abbeys – it was in fact to have the most numerous offspring of any Cistercian house and it was the influence of Bernard that promoted the extraordinary rapidity with which the order grew.  At the end of Bernard’s life there were 338 Cistercian abbeys of which no fewer than 68 were directly founded from Clairvaux.  It was the bounding energy, the huge personal magnetism, the leadership and the eloquence of St. Bernard that made this possible.  The finest spirits of the age flocked to the Cistercian abbeys where silence, simplicity and the doctrine that work is prayer were the order of the day. We have heard so often that because of the effect of St Bernard’s preaching, mothers hid their sons and wives their husbands in case they should desert the home fireside for the Cistercian cloister. With such a giant as St Bernard, in a talk like this, we can only deal with one or  two aspects of his many faceted character,  One very striking characteristic of his, so evident all his life long, was his incredible influence, both spiritual, ecclesiastical and political. We know that grace builds on nature and I‘m  sure he had natural, personal gifts which had an impact on those people with whom he dealt, but I  believe there was a great deal more to it than that.  St Augustine says “Love and do what you will” which has been interpreted as “The secret of influence is love”.  I would suggest that, even among the saints, he was outstanding for his love for God and for his fellow man. The influence of his writings still persists. When Angelo Roncalli was elected pope as John XXIII he chose to read “On Consideration” a remarkable piece of writing giving advice to the newly elected Cistercian pope, Eugene III.  As far as his other writings are concerned, I do not feel qualified to comment  as my own experience of them  was ploughing through the two volumes of his sermons on the Canticle of Canticles when  was a novice, and reading the occasional quotes from his other writings. St Bernard is also well known for his preaching of the second crusade, which did his reputation a great deal of harm.  His reaction to the criticism was typical of him. He said “It  better that they blame me than God”.  He is still criticised for his advocacy of this cause and yet he was not responsible for the terrible conduct of so many of the crusaders.  He himself was very much a peacemaker as shown in his response to the request that he go and mediate in Metz where civil war had broken out.  He rose from his sick bed and made the long journey.  He was too weak to preach, but instead he visited each camp. Where his frailty proved even  more effective that any oratory.  Deeply ashamed of themselves, the warring sides made peace. I think we are all aware of Bernard’s great love for Our Lady, a love which is one of the continuing characteristics of the Cistercian Order. After his intervention in Metz, St Bernard returned to Clairvaux where he died on 20thAugust 1153.

St Bernard Feast Day, August

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: father patrick   ...>
Sent: Tue, 17 August, 2010 17:06:54
Subject: St Bernard Feast Day, August 

Dear Friend in Christ:
 
I join you in prayer and in spirit
as we celebrate
The Feast day of St. Bernard.

We thank God for his wonderful contributions to the church
and
especially to contemplative life.

God Bless you and your community
as you celebrate this special day
 
Sincerely in the Lord

  father patrick

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Dear, Fr. Patrick,
Thank you for your kind wishes and prayers.
On St. Bernard's Day we will have a special celebration.
In the course of marking the Silver Jubilee of his Ordination as Bishop, Cardinal Keith O'Brien very kindly visiting the community and presiding at the Solemnity of Saint Bernard at Nunraw.
Earlier, the Cardinal wrote to the Abbot and Community

 

12th August 2010

My dear friends at Nunraw,

I thank you, most sincerely, for the recent remembrance in your prayers and your good wishes   when I celebrated the Silver Jubilee of my Ordination as a Bishop last Thursday 5th August 2010. 

I know that Nunraw will be well represented in our Cathedral at the "official" celebrations on Wednesday 8th September 20 I do and I do look forward to that.

As you know, Nunraw has always been part of my life from my schoolboy days -- as, indeed, part of the lives of so many people in Scotland.

May God, indeed, bless you all as I pray for you and for the years ahead - hoping that in return you will, indeed, pray for me.

With my kindest regards, good wishes and very sincere thanks and prayers.

Yours sincerely in Christ

  signed

+ Keith Patrick Cardinal O’Brien Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh  

Guerric of Igny, Cistercian

Mass Thursday of the Twentieth Week !n Ordinary Time Blessed Guerric of Igny 19th Aug. The Readings, Ez. 36:23-28, Mt. 22:1-14. Intro: Abbot Mark. Today we celebrate the feast of Bl. Guerric, Abbot of the 12th French Abbey of Igny. Not much is known of him now, outside Cistercian circles yet, with Saints Bernard, Aelred and William of St. Thierry, he has been called one of the four Evangelists of Citeaux. We know little directly of his personal life except that he suffered particular from ill health. In spite of this – because of his holiness – Guerric was elected second Abbot of Igny, a daughter house of St. Bernard’s own Abbey of Clairvaux. The Chapter Sermons of Guerric that have come down to us are based on the feasts and seasons of the year and are imbued in a feel of scripture. They represent what was best in the 12th century. They remain fresh even today and make for fruitful reading. Let us pause for a moment to prepare porselves to enter into the Eucharist in honour of Bl. Guerric of Igny.

Ezk 36:26 .. a jotting

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: William  ... >
To:  Donald  ... >
Sent: Wed, 18 August, 2010 20:36:19
Subject: Ezk 36:26 .. a jotting

 

Dear Father Donald,

 

Please may I share this with you...

 

I have this verse so often to mind and have spent the evening delighting in it, looking it out in various translations - R Knox translates it beautifully: "I will give you a new heart, and breathe a new spirit into you; I will take away from your breasts those hearts that are hard as stone, and give you human hearts instead". However, the version with which I came to consciousness as a convert, the NJB, carries the phrase that always haunts me: "I shall remove the heart of stone from your bodies.." This phrase comes to my mind so often in prayer, and most often in the form of words from the first of my jottings printed by you...  

 

Let me remain in the silence of Your tomb

Awaiting the dawning of the day

When You will roll away my heart of stone  
And reveal the glory of Your presence. 

Thank you for all the joy you gave me in my jottings!

 ...  in Our Lord,

William

Many Called Few Chosen

 Matthew 20: 1-16
The Celebrant at the Mass latched on to the words, "Are you envious because I am generous".
These words are also in the NetBible Mt: 20:15 but in few other versions.
(The Net Bible is exceptional, as it is noted, being designed to free from any copyrights)

Net Bible 20:15 Am I not¹⁸ permitted to do what I want with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’¹⁹ 20:16 So the last will be first, and the first last.”

 

Even more striking is Mt 20:16 "for many be called, but few chosen". KJV.
Out of this selction of 12 Versions there are at least 5 occurences underlined below, as retained from the manuscripts in these Bibles - leading from the Vulgate. 

Mat 20: 16   (AMP)  So those who [now] are last will be first [then], and those who [now] are first will be last [then]. For many are called, but few chosen.   (ASV)  So the last shall be first, and the first last.   (DRB)  So shall the last be first and the first last. For many are called but few chosen. (ESV)  So the last will be first, and the first last."   (GNT)  Οὕτως ἔσονται οἱ ἔσχατοι πρῶτοι καὶ οἱ πρῶτοι ἔσχατοι· πολλοὶ γάρ εἰσι κλητοί ὀλίγοι δὲ ἐκλεκτοί.   (GNT-WH+)  ουτωςG3779 ADV  εσονταιG1510 V-FDI-3P  οιG3588 T-NPM  εσχατοιG2078 A-NPM-S  πρωτοιG4413 A-NPM-S  καιG2532 CONJ  οιG3588 T-NPM  πρωτοιG4413 A-NPM-S  εσχατοιG2078 A-NPM-S      (HNT)  כן יהיו האחרונים ראשונים והראשונים יהיו אחרונים (כי־רבים הם הקרואים ומעטים הנבחרים)׃   (KJV)  So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.   (KJV+)  SoG3779 theG3588 lastG2078 shall beG2071 first,G4413 andG2532 theG3588 firstG4413 last:G2078 forG1063 manyG4183 beG1526 called,G2822 butG1161 fewG3641 chosen.G1588   (RV)  So the last shall be first, and the first last.   (Vulgate)  sic erunt novissimi primi et primi novissimi multi sunt enim vocati pauci autem electi

Through the eye of a needle

Tuesday, 17 August 2010

Tuesday of the Twentieth week in Ordinary Time

Book of Ezekiel 28:1-10.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 19:23-30.

Mass Introduction (Fr. S…)

Today’s two scripture readings are connected in each other.

The city of Tyre and its regular have achieved great success in profit making business and power that they put their faith and security in their possession and wealth which ultimately because their God in idol worship.

In the Gospel, Jesus used very strong words as to who would receive eternal life. Jesus said, “It is easier for a camel  to pass through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.”

Here, we have some points for reflections.

*The ultimate end of man is to know, love and serve God  and enjoy eternal life with Him forever.

* God wants to share with us the eternal life and this is a gift from God. We cannot achieve it by human endeavours.

* Wealth and power pose a great danger to inherit eternal life. In today’s materialistic World, it is impossible to evade its influence.

* Left to ourselves eternal life seems impossible to attain. But with God’s grace all things are possible, Mt. 19:26, and God’s grace becomes available when we turn to Jesus in repentance. The Holy Spirit can enlighten us to the emptiness of the worldly riches and show us the eternal treasure of our faith in Jesus.

Commentary of the day
                                  

Andre Louf at Canterbury

----- Forwarded Message ----

From: Sr. Christina ...  >
To: Donald ...
Sent: Mon, 16 August, 2010 11:27:14
Subject: Andre Louf  

Dearest Don.
Many thanks for all your emails.  

I especially enjoyed the one about Andre Louf 
whom I met in Canterbury years ago when
he and about 10 of his community spent a 
week in Canterbury Cathedral 

in preparation for the visit of Pope John Paul.   

Canon Allchin, the Dean, I think, invited them to use the Cathedral crypt for 
their 6am morning Office
and many of us folk in the town joined them on those 
dark cold mornings.

 

Lots of love and blessings ...

Xris  

Br Roger Taize

Monday, August 16 

Matthew 19:16-22

The Rich Young Man's Call

BROTHER ROGER OF TAIZE

Are we sufficiently aware that God trusts us so much that he has a call for each one of us? What is that call? God invites us to love as he loves.

And there is no deeper love than to go to the point of giving oneself, for God and for others. Whoever lives a life rooted in God chooses to love. And a heart resolved to love can radiate goodness without limits.

Life is filled with serene beauty for whoever strives to love with trust.

All who choose to love and to say it with their life are led to ask themselves one of the most compelling questions of all: how can we ease the pain and the torment of others, whether they are close at hand or far away?

But what does it mean to love? Could it be to share the suffering of the most ill-treated? Yes, that's it.

Could it mean having infinite kind-heartedness and forgetting oneself for others, selflessly? Yes, certainly.

And again: what does it mean to love? Loving means forgiving, living as people who are reconciled. And reconciliation always brings a springtime to the soul.

Brother Roger of Taize (+ 2005) founded the Taize Community
on this day seventy years ago.
Today is the fifth anniversary of his death.

  

§ 72  The Rich Man 

Gospel Harmony - Amplified Bible 

Carfin preview Papal Mass music

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Anne Marie ... >
To:  Donald  ... >
Sent: Sun, 15 August, 2010 22:22:09
Subject: Carfin

• On the Feast of the Assumption we were part of the choir for the
• Paisley Diocese pilgrimage to Carfin.
• It was a glorious and very prayerful day.  
• We sang the MacMillan mass for the first time and some 
• of the other hymns for the Papal Mass.  Thought you would like the photo.

    Anne Marie  

[Thank you, Anne Marie, 
Do you have more pictures and/or YouTube?
Donald]

Assumption of BVM

MASS

The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Friends visiting the Carfin Lourdes Grotto on Assumption Day.

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Raymond  …>
To: Donald …>
Sent: Sun, 15 August, 2010 18:59:05
Subject: Assumption

The Bodily Assumption of Mary into Heaven

By Fr. Raymond

The Bodily Assumption of Mary into Heaven is one of the three great personal privileges of Mary: The Immaculate Conception; the Divine Motherhood and the Assumption.  The Immaculate Conception prepared Mary for her Divine Motherhood and her Assumption into Heaven was a consequence of it. This connection between the Devine Motherhood and the Assumption can perhaps be best understood if we think of the debt any man owes to his Mother. It is a debt that can never be repaid. Our Mothers gave us our very life and existence. They formed us in their wombs; the nursed us at their breasts. ‘No man can pay the price of his life’ as the psalmist reminds us. The best we can do to repay our Mothers for the gift of life is for us to love and honour and respect them, and of course to care for them in their old age.

But things are not so between Mary and the Divine Son she bore. He was Almighty God and was well able to make a fitting recompense to his Mother for giving him his body of flesh. He repaid this debt of gratitude by taking her own body of flesh and blood and preserving it from the corruption of the grave and assuming her, in her bodily entirety, into heaven just as he himself had been at his Ascension. Nor is this just something personal to Mary. We must wait, of course, till the last day for our bodily assumption into heaven, but Mary’s bodily assumption, like the ascension of Christ himself,  gives us already a kind of pledge and guarantee of the ultimate destiny of our own body of flesh and blood. Christ, the New Adam, has entered the New Paradise, of which the Old Paradise was just a foreshadowing, and Mary, the New Eve, has been given to him as his first companion in the fullness of her humanity.

     When the doctrine of the Assumption was first defined, our separated brethren asked, “Where is this in Scripture? We can’t believe what is not in Scripture”. But we can answer that this wonderful event is well prepared for in Holy Scripture. The mind of faith is prepared for it by such events as the lifting up of Elijah from this earth in the fiery chariot. We are prepared for it by the disappearance from this earth of the bodies of Enoch and Moses for example.  But by far the most important foreshadowing of Mary’s Assumption takes place in the very first chapters of Genesis where it is said of the first Adam: “It is not good for Man to be alone”. There were plenty of other living creatures around, but none “like unto himself” to share his life with him on a fully human level. So too surely it must be with the New Adam in the new Paradise. There are plenty of angels and spirits of the just there too but, for the fullness and perfection of all beauty and truth, he needs one by his side who can share his life in the fullness of his glorified humanity, body as well as spirit. Yes even for the New Adam in the New Paradise “It is not good for Man to be alone”.

Adoremus Bulletin

15 August [Assumption]
Lk 1:39-56

As celebrating the Solemnity of the Assumption of BVM,

the painting of Virgin of Glory (Bellini) highlights the July-August 2010 Broadsheet of ‘Adoremus Bulletin’.

It is a very timely issue on the New Missal.

The print has been very helpful in these fifteen years.

The Online links are now invaluable, as they are noted below.

Collect for the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary August 15
Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, qui immaculatam Virginem Mariam, Filii tui Genetricem, corpore et anima ad caelestem gloriam assumpsisti, concede, quaesumus, ut, ad superna semper intenti, ipsius gloriae mereamur esse consortes. Per Dominum nostrum, Iesum Cbristum. filium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum.	Almighty everlasting God, who assumed into the glory of heaven, body and soul, the immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of your Son, grant, we pray, that, always intent on things above, we may be worthy to share in her glory. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Latin Collect - Roman Missal 2002 English translation © International Commission on English in the Liturgy 2010
Web site: www.adoremus.org	An archive of articles and reports on biblical and liturgical translation is on the Adoremus web site: adoremus.org/Transtoc.html; and on the bishops' meetings 1993 - present: adoremus.org/ArchiveBishopMeetings.html. AB research editor Susan Benofy contributed to this article.