Bernard: conversion

Saturday, February 23, 2013
    Feast of Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, Martyr, c.155
Meditation:
    [Paul and Barnabas:] “For this is what the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”
    When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.
    —Acts 13:47-48 (NIV)
Quotation:
    The conversion of souls is the working of the divine, not the human voice... It is from him alone that we must hope for results. We must ask him for it, so that our voice may be in harmony with the voice of majesty. May I suggest then that you prick up the ears of your heart in order to hear this inner voice and that you make an effort to hear God speaking within rather than the man speaking without... Nor do we have much difficulty in hearing this voice; the difficulty is rather in stopping our ears from hearing it. For that voice offers itself, presents itself, and never ceases to knock at the door of each one of us.
    ... Bernard of Clairvaux (1091-1153), Honey and Salt: selected spiritual writings of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Random House Digital, Inc., 2007, p. 247-248 (see the book)
    See also Acts 13:47-48; Ps. 29:3-9; Isa. 6:9-10; Zech. 7:11-12; Matt. 11:15; 13:16; John 1:12-13; 8:47; Acts 2:4,38-39; 7:55-58; Rev. 3:20
Quiet time reflection:
    Lord, grant me silence, so that I may listen to You. CQOD    Blog    email    RSS
    search    script    mobile
sub    fb    twt