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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250318
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UID:13236-1742256000-1742342399@laycisterciansofgethsemani.org
SUMMARY:Vigils Reading
DESCRIPTION:PRAYER AND FASTING \nBy St Bernard of Clairvaux \n◊◊◊ \nNotice in this Lenten observance how prayer and fasting assist each other \nlike two allies\, as it is written: “When a neighbor helps a neighbor\, both shall be \ncomforted”. Prayer obtains the strength for fasting and fasting merits the grace \nto pray. Fasting renders prayer more powerful\, and prayer responds by \nsanctifying the fast and presenting it to the Lord. What would our fast profit us \nif – God forbid – it were allowed to remain on the earth? Let it therefore be lifted \nup on the wing of prayer. But since this one wing may not be sufficient\, it is \nnecessary to add a second. “The prayer of the just one pierces the heavens”\, says \nEcclesiasticus. Consequently\, in order that our fast may be easily lifted up to \nheaven\, let it be provided with the two wings of prayer and justice. \nNow what is justice but the virtue which inclines us to render everyone \ntheir due? Therefore it is not enough to have regard only to God. You are a \ndebtor also to your human superiors\, and a debtor to your equals. It is certainly \nnot the will of God that you should despise those whom He is far from despising. \nYou may have said to yourself\, “It is enough for me if I have the approval of God \nalone for my conduct. Why should I be concerned about the judgment of \nothers?” But be assured of this: that the Lord is pleased with no action of yours \nwhich either gives scandal to His children or which is done contrary to the will of \nthe one whom you are obliged to obey as God’s representative. \nJoel says: “Sanctify the fast; call a solemn assembly”. What is it to “call a \nsolemn assembly” but to preserve unity\, to foster peace\, to “love the family of \nbelievers”? The proud Pharisee fasted; he also returned thanks to God. But he \ndid not call the assembly\, since he rather isolated himself by saying\, “I am not as \nothers”. And therefore his fast\, borne up on only one wing\, was unable to ascend \nto heaven. See to it carefully that your fast shall have two wings\, “peace\, namely\, \nand holiness\, without which no one shall see God”. “Sanctify the fast\,” that is to \nsay\, let a pure intention and devout prayer offer it to the Divine Majesty; and \n“call a solemn assembly\,” that is to say\, your fast should not be singular or \ndetrimental to unity. \nSince I have spoken about justice and fasting\, it is right that I should say \nsomething concerning prayer. Now just as this holy exercise is more efficacious \nwhen discharged as it ought to be\, so the adversary strives to hinder it. \nSometimes he obstructs prayer by inspiring “smallness of spirit” and \nimmoderate fear. This happens when a person is so taken up with consideration \nof their own unworthiness that they lose sight altogether of the goodness of God. \nThe psalmist says: “Abyss calls on abyss”: the abyss of light on the abyss of \ndarkness\, the abyss of mercy on the abyss of misery. For the human heart is \ndeep and unfathomable. But although my iniquity is great\, much greater\, O \nLord\, is Your goodness. And consequently\, whenever my soul disquiets me\, I \nshall be “mindful of the multitude of Your mercies” and so shall be comforted.
URL:https://laycisterciansofgethsemani.org/event/vigils-reading-277/
CATEGORIES:Vigils Readings
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