21st Sunday of the Year (C)

Sunday Gospel Reading for your Reflection: Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

21st Sunday of the Year (C), August 25, 2013

Liturgical readings
Isaiah 66:18-21
Psalm 117
Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13
Luke 13:22-30

"People will come from the east...west...north...south...and take their place in the kingdom of God."


Jesus went through cities and towns


teaching --


all the while
making his way toward Jerusalem.


Someone asked him,


"Lord,
are they few in number
who are to be saved?"


He replied:


"Try to come in through the narrow door.


Many,
I tell you,
will try to enter and be unable."


"When once the master of the house has risen
to lock the door
and you stand outside
knocking and saying,


'Sir,
open for us,'


he will say in reply,


'I do not know where you come from.
Away from me, you evildoers!'"


"There will be wailing and grinding of teeth
when you see
        Abraham,
        Isaac,
        Jacob,
        and all the prophets
safe in the kingdom of God


and you yourselves rejected.


People will come from
        the east
        and the west,
        from the north
        and the south,
and will take their place
at the feast in the kingdom of God.


Some who are last
        will be first
and some who are first
        will be last."


Scripture verses from the readings:
"You shall come and see the glory of the Lord." (Isaiah 66)
"For steadfast is the Lord's kindness toward us." (Psalm 117)
"Endure your trials as the discipline of God." (Hebrews 12)
"Some who are last will be first and some who are first will be last." (Luke 18)

St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Abbot & Devotee of the Blessed Mother

St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Abbot: 1090-1153 A.D.

Feast of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, August 20

Birth, youth and conversion

St. Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux, was the son of Tescelin Sorrel and Aleth, daughter of the lord of Montbard. Bernard was born into this noble family at Fontaines les Dijon, the family castle, near Burgundy. The third son of seven children, he was then sent to study at Châtillon. But after living frivolously as a youth, he decided, upon the death of his mother, to lead and live a religious life.

The Cistercian monastery at Citeaux

In 1112 A.D., St. Bernard persuaded thirty-one of his friends and relatives (including four of his brothers) to go with him and enter the Cistercian monastery at Citeaux. This monastery, which was founded in 1098 A.D., was the first Cistercian monastery that observed a strict interpretation of the Benedictine rule. He and his companions were welcomed by the abbot, St. Stephen Harding.

Founding a monastery at Clairvaux

In 1115 A.D., St. Bernard was sent by St. Stephen Harding with twelve monks to open a new monastery at what was later to be called Clairvaux - a forested place in the Valley of Wormwood. Though there were initial difficulties because of St. Bernard's strict discipline and austerities, his holiness soon attracted scores of disciples. This mother house of Clairvaux was to become the center of some sixty-eight Cistercian monasteries established by its monks.

A powerful influence in Europe

Many miracles were attributed to St. Bernard's intercession. He was a holy abbot, an ecclesiastical statesman, a mediator between warring armies, a counselor of popes and kings, and a champion of orthodoxy. St. Bernard was the most influential person in Europe in the first half of the twelfth century. So great was his reputation that even the enemies of the Church admired his holiness and the greatness of his writings.

Involved in the ecclesiastical and political issues of Europe

St. Bernard of Clairvaux is considered the second founder of the Cistercians. His influence during the last forty years of his life was enormous. He was prominently involved in practically every major event of those years: (1) supporting the legitimacy of Pope Innocent III's election in 1130 A.D. against the claims of the antipope Anacletus II; (2) leading the Lombards to accept Lothaire II as Emperor; (3) was instrumental in having Abelard condemned at the Council of Sens; (4) having seen one of Clairvaux monastery's postulant, Peter Bernard Paganelli, chosen as pope in 1142 A.D., taking the name Pope Eugene III; (5) and at Eugene III's request, preached a Crusade against the Turks in 1146 A.D.

The Mellifluous Doctor

St. Bernard was given many assignments by the pope. His works included, among other things, a treatise written for the guidance of Pope Eugene III (De consideratione), more than three hundred sermons, and five hundred letters. His mystical writing, De Diligendo Deo, was one of the outstanding medieval mystical works which formed the mysticism of the Middle Ages. His reflections also on Scripture, his deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Child Jesus, all had a profound effect on Catholic spirituality at the time. Called the Mellifluous Doctor for his way with the spoken word, St. Bernard was canonized in 1174 A.D., declared a Doctor of the Church in 1830 A.D., and considered the last of the Fathers of the Church.

Last days and death

In 1153 A.D., St. Bernard left Clairvaux to effect a peace between the duke of Lorraine and the inhabitants of Metz, which had been attacked by the duke. He was stricken on his return and died at the monastery of Clairvaux on August 20, 1153 A.D.

Though St. Bernard was called upon to use his wisdom and counsel in world affairs in Europe, he had a great desire to lead a quiet contemplative life. He said, "In dangers, in doubts, in difficulties, think of Mary, call upon Mary: under her protection, you have nothing to fear; if she walks with you, you shall not grow weary; if she shows you favour, you shall reach the goal."

Though St. Bernard of Clairvaux failed in his preaching during the Second Crusade, his evident holiness could not be denied. And even if the disastrous failure of the Second Crusade proved that saints can commit mistakes, he was nevertheless canonized twenty-one years after his death by Pope Alexander III.

20th Sunday of the Year (C)

Sunday Gospel for "Your Reflection": Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

20th Sunday of the Year (C), August 18, 2013

Liturgical readings
Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10
Psalm 40
Hebrews 12:1-4
Luke 12:49-53

"Jesus has come to light a fire on the earth."


Jesus said to his disciples:


"I have come
to light a fire on the earth.


How I wish the blaze were ignited!


I have a baptism to receive.


What anguish I feel till it is over!



Do you think I have come
to establish peace on the earth?


I assure you,
the contrary is true;


Wherever your treasure lies,
there your heart will be.


I have come for division.


From now on,
a household of five
will be divided
three against two
and two against three;


father will be split against son
and son against father,


mother against daughter
and daughter against mother,


mother-in-law against daughter-in-law,
daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."


Scripture verses from the Sunday Readings:
"The Lord heard my cry. He drew me out of the pit of destruction." (Psalm 40)
"You are my help and my deliverer,  O my God, hold not back." (Psalm 40)
"Let us aside every encumbrance of sin which clings to us and persevere in running the race which lies ahead." (Hebrews 12)
"Many shall look on in awe and trust in the Lord." (Psalm 40)