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Vigils Reading
February 26
PRAYER AND FASTING
By St Bernard of Clairvaux2
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Notice in this Lenten observance how prayer and fasting assist each other
like two allies, as it is written: “When a neighbor helps a neighbor, both shall be
comforted”. Prayer obtains the strength for fasting and fasting merits the grace
to pray. Fasting renders prayer more powerful, and prayer responds by
sanctifying the fast and presenting it to the Lord. What would our fast profit us
if – God forbid – it were allowed to remain on the earth? Let it therefore be lifted
up on the wing of prayer. But since this one wing may not be sufficient, it is
necessary to add a second. “The prayer of the just one pierces the heavens”, says
Ecclesiasticus. Consequently, in order that our fast may be easily lifted up to
heaven, let it be provided with the two wings of prayer and justice.
Now what is justice but the virtue which inclines us to render everyone
their due? Therefore it is not enough to have regard only to God. You are a
debtor also to your human superiors, and a debtor to your equals. It is certainly
not the will of God that you should despise those whom He is far from despising.
You may have said to yourself, “It is enough for me if I have the approval of God
alone for my conduct. Why should I be concerned about the judgment of
others?” But be assured of this: that the Lord is pleased with no action of yours
which either gives scandal to His children or which is done contrary to the will
of the one whom you are obliged to obey as God’s representative.
Joel says: “Sanctify the fast; call a solemn assembly”. What is it to “call a
solemn assembly” but to preserve unity, to foster peace, to “love the family of
believers”? The proud Pharisee fasted; he also returned thanks to God. But he
did not call the assembly, since he rather isolated himself by saying, “I am not
as others”. And therefore his fast, borne up on only one wing, was unable to
ascend to heaven. See to it carefully that your fast shall have two wings, “peace,
namely, and holiness, without which no one shall see God”. “Sanctify the fast,”
that is to say, let a pure intention and devout prayer offer it to the Divine
Majesty; and “call a solemn assembly,” that is to say, your fast should not be
singular or detrimental to unity.
Since I have spoken about justice and fasting, it is right that I should say
something concerning prayer. Now just as this holy exercise is more efficacious
when discharged as it ought to be, so the adversary strives to hinder it.
Sometimes he obstructs prayer by inspiring “smallness of spirit” and
immoderate fear. This happens when a person is so taken up with consideration
of their own unworthiness that they lose sight altogether of the goodness of God.
The psalmist says: “Abyss calls on abyss”: the abyss of light on the abyss of
darkness, the abyss of mercy on the abyss of misery. For the human heart is
deep and unfathomable. But although my iniquity is great, much greater, O
Lord, is Your goodness. And consequently, whenever my soul disquiets me, I
shall be “mindful of the multitude of Your mercies” and so shall be comforted.
2 St. Bernard’s Sermons for the Seasons & Principal Feastivals of the Year. vol. II. Bernard of Clairvaux. The Carroll
Press. Westminster, MD. 1950. p. 91.5