on the Lord’s Birthday

Great is this day’s solemn feast of the Lord’s birth dearly beloved. But the short day requires me to shorten my sermon. What wonder if we make our word short, when God the Father has made his Word short. ‘From everlasting to everlasting’ says the prophet, you are God and see he has become an infant a day old.

Why was it necessary that the Lord of majesty so empty himself, so humble himself, so abbreviate himself. Was it not that you might do likewise ? Already he is crying out by his example what later he will proclaim by his words: ‘Learn from me for i am meek and humble of heart.

Consequently i beg and earnestly entreat you not to allow so precious a model to be shown you in vain but be conformed to it and renewed in the spirit of your minds. Be zealous for humility which is the foundation and guardian of the virtues. Pursue it for it alone can save your souls.

What are you afraid of human beings ? He comes not to judge but to save the earth. Do not flee. Do not fear. He is seeking not to punish but to save. He became a little child. The virgin mother wraps his tender limbs in swaddling clothes. Will you realize from this that he has not come to destroy but to save you not bind but to set you free.

Great are the works of the Lord says the prophet. ( Ps 111.110:2 ) Great are all his works. Three of his works proclaim his wonderful dealings with us: our primal creation, our present redemption and our future glorification. How each of this proclaims the greatness of your works o Lord!

Recognize your dignity O human being, recognize the glory of human constitution ! Along with the world you have a body. But you have something more sublime as well. Bound together and united within you are flesh and soul, one of them formed and the other ‘breathed in’. From the soul comes beauty, from the soul comes growth, from the soul clarity of vision and the sound of the voice. Divine love is what this union commends to me. Divine love is what i see written on the very page of my creation.

From the Sermons of St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Abbot

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Catechesis by Pope St John Paul II on the Epiphany

” 1. On the feast of the Epiphany we read the passage from the Gospel of St Matthew which describes the arrival of some Magi from the East at Bethlehem: “Going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshipped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.” (Mt 2:11-12).

We have already spoken once here, of the shepherds who found the baby, the born Son of God, lying in a manger (Lk 2:16).

Today we return once more to those characters who, according to tradition, were three in number: the Magi Kings. St Matthew’s concise text renders very well what is part of the very substance of man’s meeting with God: “they fell down and worshipped him”. Man meets God in the act of veneration, of worship, of cult. It is useful to note that the word “cult” (cultus) is closely related to the term “culture”. Admiration, veneration for what is divine, for what raises man on high, belongs to the very substance of human culture, of the various cultures. A second element of man’s meeting with God, highlighted by the Gospel, is contained in the words: “opening their treasures, they offered him gifts … “. In these words, St Matthew indicates a factor that deeply characterizes the very substance of religion, understood both as knowledge and meeting. A merely abstract concept of God does not constitute, does not yet form this substance.

Man gets to know God by meeting him, and vice versa he meets him in the act of getting to know him. He meets God when he opens up to him with the interior gift of his human “ego”, to accept God’s Gift and reciprocate it.

The Magi Kings, at the moment when they present themselves before the Child in his mother’s arms, accept in the light of the Epiphany the Gift of God Incarnate, his ineffable dedication to man in the mystery of the Incarnation. At the same time, “opening their treasures, they offered him gifts”; it is a question of the concrete gifts of which the evangelist speaks, but above all they open themselves up to him, with the interior gift of their own heart. And this is the real treasure they offer, of which the gold, incense and myrrh are only an exterior expression. The fruit of the Epiphany consists in this gift: they recognize God and they meet him.

2, When I meditate in this way, together with you gathered here, on those words of the Gospel of Matthew, there come into my mind the texts of the Constitution Lumen Gentium which speak of the universality of the Church. The day of the Epiphany is the feast of the universality of the Church, of her universal mission. Well, we read in the Council: “The one People of God is accordingly present in all the nations of the earth, since its citizens, who are taken from all nations, are of a kingdom whose nature is not earthly but heavenly. All the faithful scattered throughout the world are in communion with each other in the Holy Spirit so that ‘he who dwells in Rome knows those in most distant parts to be his members’ (n. 9).

Since the kingdom of Christ is not of this world (cf. Jn 18:36), the Church or People of God which establishes this Kingdom does not take away anything from the temporal welfare of any people. Rather, she fosters and takes to herself, in so far as they are good, the abilities, the resources and customs of peoples. In so taking them to herself she purifies, strengthens and elevates them. The Church indeed is mindful that she must work with that king to whom the nations were given for an inheritance (cf. Ps 2:8) and to whose city gifts are brought (cf.. Ps 71 [72] :10; Is 60:4-7; Rev 21:24). This character of universality which adorns the People of God is a gift from the Lord himself whereby the Catholic ceaselessly and efficaciously seeks for the return of all humanity and all its goods under Christ the Head in the unity of his Spirit. “In virtue of this catholicity each part contributes its own gifts to other parts and to the whole Church, so that the whole and each of the parts are strengthened by the common sharing of all things and by the common effort to fullness in unity. Hence it is that the People of God is… an assembly of various peoples … ” (Lumen Gentium, 13).

Here we have before our eyes the same image present in the Gospel of St Matthew read at Epiphany; only it is far more developed. The same Christ who in Bethlehem, as a Child, accepted the gifts of the Magi Kings, is still the One to whom men and whole Peoples “open their treasures”. The gifts of the human spirit, in the act of this opening before God Incarnate, take on a special value, become the treasures of various cultures, the spiritual riches of Peoples and Nations, the common heritage of the whole of mankind. This heritage is formed and grows continually through that “exchange of gifts”, of which the constitution Lumen Gentium speaks. He is the centre of that exchange; the same one who accepted the gifts of the Magi Kings. He himself, who is the visible and incarnate Gift, causes the opening of souls and that exchange of gifts from which live not only individuals, but also peoples, nations, and the whole of mankind.

3. The whole preceding meditation is to some extent an introduction and preface to what I want to say now.

Tomorrow I am to undertake, with the grace of God, a journey to Mexico, the first of my pontificate. I wish here to follow the great Pope Paul and continue the tradition he began. I am going to Mexico, to Puebla, on the occasion of the Episcopal Conference of Latin America, which is beginning its work on Saturday next with the eucharistic concelebration in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Today, already, I express my gratitude, both to the representatives of the Episcopate for the invitation addressed to me, and to the representatives of the Mexican Authorities, particularly the President of that Republic for his favourable attitude to this journey, which makes it possible for me to carry out such an important pastoral duty.

I am referring at this moment to the liturgy of the feast of the Epiphany as well as to the words of the Constitution Lumen Gentium, which enable all of us to cast a glance at those particular gifts which the people and the Church that is in Mexico have contributed and continue to contribute to the common treasure of mankind and of the Church.

Who has not at least heard of the splendours of ancient Mexico? Of its art, its knowledge in the field of astronomy, its pyramids and its temples, in which its aspiration to the divine, though imperfect and still non-illuminated, was expressed?

And what are we to say of the cathedrals and churches, the palaces and city councils, built in Mexico and by Mexican artisans after its Christianization? These buildings are an eloquent expression of the marvellous symbiosis that the Mexican people has been able to operate between the best elements of its past and those of its Christian future which it was then entering.

But Mexico has made great progress also in the most recent period. Alongside the famous constructions in the so-called colonial style, today there are the skyscrapers, large streets, impressive public buildings, and industrial plants of modern Mexico. But—and here is another of its merits—in the midst of the modern political, technical, and civil progress, the Mexican soul shows clearly that it wishes to be and to remain Christian: even in his typical popular music, the Mexican sings also of his eternal nostalgia for God and his devotion to the Blessed Virgin. And in difficult times of the past, now fortunately over, the Mexican showed not only good religious sentiments but remarkable and in fact, sometimes, heroic fortitude and staunchness of faith, as many people will still remember.

I am convinced that, in the presence of Christ and his Mother, it will be possible to realize again that “opening and exchange of gifts” to which the Episcopate of Latin America, I myself, and the whole Church, attach such great hopes for the future.

4. Let us return once more to St Matthew’s description. The Gospel says that that “opening of gifts” of the Magi Kings in Bethlehem was realized in the presence of the Child and his Mother.

Let us add that this situation continues to be repeated in just this way. Does not the history of Mexico and the history of the Church in that land, prove it? Going there, I rejoice particularly in the fact that I will find myself in the footsteps of so many pilgrims, who go from the whole of America, especially Latin America, to the Sanctuary of the Mother of God at Guadalupe.

I myself come from a land and a nation whose heart beats in the great Marian sanctuaries, especially in the sanctuary of Jasna Gora, I would like to repeat once more, as on the day of the inauguration of the pontificate, the words of the greatest Polish poet: “Holy Virgin, who defend bright Czestochowa, and shine forth in the Pointed Gate … “

This enables me to understand the people, the peoples, the Church, the continent, whose heart beats in the Sanctuary of the Mother of God at Guadalupe.

I hope too that this will open the way for me to the heart of that Church.”

From a General Audience, Wednesday 24 January 1979

The Example of Nazareth

The home of Nazareth is the school where we begin to understand the life of Jesus – the school of the Gospel. The first lesson we learn here is to look, to listen, to meditate and penetrate the meaning – at once so deep and so mysterious – of this very simple, very humble and very beautiful manifestation of the Son of God. Perhaps we learn, even imperceptibly, the lesson of imitation.

Here we learn the method which will permit us to understand who Christ is. Here above all is made clear the importance of taking into account the general picture of his life among us, with its varied background of place, of time, of customs, of language, of religious practices – in fact, everything Jesus made use of to reveal himself to the world. Here everything is eloquent, all has a meaning.

Here, in this school, one learns why it is necessary to have a spiritual rule of life, if one wishes to follow the teaching of the Gospel and become a disciple of Christ. How gladly would I become a child again, and go to school once more in this humble and sublime school of Nazareth: close to Mary, I wish I could make a fresh start at learning the true science of life and the higher wisdom of divine truths. But I am only a passing pilgrim. I must renounce this desire to pursue in this home my still incomplete education in the understanding of the Gospel. I will not go on my way however without having gathered – hurriedly, it is true, and as if wanting to escape notice – some brief lessons from Nazareth.

First, then, a lesson of silence. May esteem for silence, that admirable and indispensable condition of mind, revive in us, besieged as we are by so many uplifted voices, the general noise and uproar, in our seething and over-sensitized modern life.

May the silence of Nazareth teach us recollection, inwardness, the disposition to listen to good inspirations and the teachings of true masters. May it teach us the need for and the value of preparation, of study, of meditation, of personal inner life, of the prayer which God alone sees in secret.

Next, there is a lesson on family life. May Nazareth teach us what family life is, its communion of love, its austere and simple beauty, and its sacred and inviolable character. Let us learn from Nazareth that the formation received at home is gentle and irreplaceable. Let us learn the prime importance of the role of the family in the social order.

Finally, there is a lesson of work. Nazareth, home of the ‘Carpenter’s Son’, in you I would choose to understand and proclaim the severe and redeeming law of human work; here I would restore the awareness of the nobility of work; and reaffirm that work cannot be an end in itself, but that its freedom and its excellence derive, over and above its economic worth, from the value of those for whose sake it is undertaken. And here at Nazareth, to conclude, I want to greet all those who work in the world, holding up to them their great pattern, their brother who is God. He is the prophet of all their just causes, Christ our Lord.

From an address given at Nazareth by Pope Saint Paul VI

You who are earth born and you who are mortal hear this ! You who are in the dust awake and sing praise. A physician is coming to the sick, a redeemer to those who have been sold, a path to wanderers and life to the dead. ( Is 26:19 ) Yes one is coming who will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea, who will heal all our diseases who will carry us back to the source of our original worth. Great is the might but more wonderful is the mercy in that the One who could help us willed to come to our assistance! Today Scripture says you shall know that the Lord will come.

If we were in the house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens, where no foe enters we would have nothing to fear. ( Heb 9:11-12 ) As it is we are exposed to the three malign and powerful winds: the flesh, the devil and the world. These attempt to extinguish the enlightened conscience by blowing evil desires and illicit impulses into our hearts spinning you around so suddenly that you scarcely know where you are going. Therefore the soul must be sheltered by both pair of hands for fear that what has already been lighted may be extinguished. We must choose to burn rather then to give way. We must never forget the interests of our souls and we should make this the chief occupation of our hearts.

So then once our loins are thus girded and our lamps are burning, we must keep watch by night over the flock of our thoughts and actions. ( Lk 2:8 ) Then whether the Lord comes in the first watch or in the second or in the third he will find us prepared. The first watch is uprightness of action – trying to bring your whole life into line with the Rule you have vowed. The second is purity of intention. Whatever you do you should do for God’s sake. The third is the safeguarding of unity so that situated as you are in a community, you put what others want before what you want. We are building up our faith so that if we cannot see the wonders reserved for us, we can at least contemplate something of the wonders that have been done for us on earth.

Well then, I know how great is the tribulation you endure for Christ. If only your consolation through him may be great. To offer you worldly consolation I neither wish nor am I allowed. ( 2 Cor 1 5-6 ) Consolation of that kind is cheap and does no good and we must fear even more that it is a hindrance to true and salutary consolation. The One who is the delight and glory of the angels has himself become the salvation and consolation.

As we are about to celebrate the ineffable mystery of the Lord’s birth, we are rightly bidden to be prepared in all holiness. The Holy of holies is present; present is the one who said ‘Be holy for I the Lord your God am holy’. This is the right time then for perfect holiness to be pointed out to you – an inner washing is enjoined on us, a spiritual purifying is required. As the Lord says, Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. For this we live to this have we been called, for this day has today dawned upon us.

Once it was night when no one could work. It was night throughout the whole world before the rising of the true light before the birth of Christ. It was night for every single one of us before our conversion and inner rebirth. Were not the deepest night and the thickest darkness upon the whole face of the earth when long ago our ancestors worshiped counterfeit gods? Those who sleep, sleep at night says the Apostle and those who are drunk are drunk at night.

And this is how you once were but you have been awakened and you have been made holy ( 1 Cor 6:11 ) if indeed you are children of the light. The herald of the day then is also the one who cries out, be sober, be vigilant. The night is far gone the day is near. Let us cast off the world of darkness and put on the armor of light ! ( John 12:32 ) He is drawing all things to himself , he who is over all, God Blessed forever. Amen.

From the Sermons of St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Abbot

‘O Judah and Jerusalem fear not.’ We are addressing true Jews, Jews not in letter but in spirit, Abraham’s offspring, whose promised increase we see realized ( Gal3:29 ). Not the children of the flesh but the children of promise are counted as offspring.

Fear not true confessors, you who confess the Lord not only with your mouths but just as much with all and every part of you! True confession is when all your works are God’s works and confess him. Let them however confess with a twofold confession, so that you are clothed with double garments – that is with confession of your sins and confession of divine praise. Then will you be true Jews, if your whole life confesses that you are sinners deserving of far greater punishments but that God is supremely good and exchanges the eternal punishments you have deserved for these light and transitory ones.

As for you be true Jews; be the true Jerusalem so that you may no longer fear anything. Jerusalem is the vision of peace – vision, not possession – to whose borders – the Lord has brought peace. If therefore you do not have peace – or indeed because in this world you cannot have perfect peace – at least look at it, ponder it, consider it and long for it. Let the eyes of your heart ( Eph1:18 ) be turned toward it and your intention be turned toward peace so that everything you do you do out of longing for this peace which surpasses all understanding, that being reconciled you may have peace with God.

And so Judah and Jerusalem, fear not if you cannot yet attain the perfection you are longing for. Let your humbleness of your confession supply what the imperfection of your way of life lacks. God’s eyes have beheld your imperfect being. On that account has he commanded his commandments to be kept absolutely so that when we see our imperfect being failing and unable to fulfill its obligation we may flee toward mercy and say ‘because your mercy is better than life’.

Then we who cannot appear in the garments of innocence or righteousness can appear garbed in confession. Confession and beauty are in the Lord’s sight , provided that they come not from the mouth alone but from the whole person so that all our bones may ask, ‘Lord who is like you’ and ask it with a gaze fixed on peace along and with a longing for reconciliation with God. To such persons is said O Judah and Jerusalem, fear not; tomorrow you shall go forth.

The Holy Spirit too is waiting for us. The Spirit is the godly love and graciousness to which we have been predestined from eternity and most surely he wants to have accomplished what he has predestined. So then, since the wedding is ready and the whole throng of the heavenly court is longing and waiting for us, let us not run aimlessly; let us run with desires and with progress in the virtues. To get under way is to progress.

Let each one of us say, Look on me and have mercy according to the judgment of those who love your name. Have mercy not as I deserve but as they have decided. Let us also say, As his will is in heaven so may it be done and again May your will be done. In the meantime, let this be our consolation, dearly beloved, until we go forth: that the Lord may be with us. May he by his great mercy bring us to that happy going forth and to that shining tomorrow!

From the Sermons of St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Abbot

In the lord’s advent which we are celebrating, If i fix my gaze on the person of the one who is coming, i will fail to grasp the wonderousness of his majesty. If i fix my attention on those to whom he comes, i am overwhelmed by the magnitude of his condescension. Surely the angels are astonished by the strange situation – seeing below themselves the One whom above them they ever adore and now manifestly both ascending and descending to the Son of Man. (John 1:51)

Once a year the universal Church celebrates a solemn remembrance of the coming of such majesty, such humility, such godly love and indeed such a glorification of ourselves. Would that this be done always as it is done this once ! How much more fitting that would be. What madness for people to desire or to dare to occupy themselves with any other business after the coming of so great a King ! should they not leave all else aside and free themselves entirely for worshiping him, and in his presence be mindful of nothing else ?

Virtues not possessions are the true riches. These conscience carries with itself that it may be rich forever. When our Savior comes, he will transform the body of our humiliation, conforming it to the body of his glory only if our heart has first been transformed and conformed to the humiliation of his heart. That is why he told us, Learn of me for I am meek and humble of heart. Consider well these words for humility is twofold: one of thinking the other of feeling – here called the heart. By the former we realize that we are nothing and this we learn from ourselves and from our weakness. By the later we spurn worldly glory and this we learn from Him who emptied himself taking the form of a servant. When they sought him for a kingdom he fled. When they sought him for the great test and shameful suffering of the cross, he willingly offered himself.

All our virtue is far from true virtue as it is from the appearance and all our wings are good for nothing if they are not covered with silver. Great is the wing of poverty by which we fly so swiftly to the kingdom of heaven ! But in the case of the virtues that follow the use of the future tense indicates a promise; poverty is not promised as given ( Mat 5:3 ) . So we are told in the present tense that theirs is the kingdom of heaven while in other cases they will inherit, they shall be comforted and so on.

Let us cover our wings with silver then, in our way of life in Christ just as the holy martyrs washed their robes in his passion. As much as we can, let us imitate him who so loved poverty that although the ends of the earth were in his hand, he had yet no place to lay his head.

From the Sermons of St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Abbot