Wise Words on Wednesday: The Book of Nature
Believe me, you will find more lessons in the woods than in books. Trees and stones will teach you what you cannot learn from masters.
– Bernard of Clairvaux, Epistola CVI, sect. 2
Tag: St. Bernard of Clairvaux
Music Monday: O Little While
A couple of weeks ago I attended a concert performed by Joe Zambon. I’ve been driving around listening to his new CD ever since. I’m sure I’ll be posting some more of his songs over the coming weeks, but here’s one with my favourite video, “O Little While”:
This song was inspired by the words of St. Bernard of Clairvaux:
“O little while, little while! How long a little while! Dear Lord, you say it is for a little while that we do not see you. The word of my Lord may not be doubted, but it is a long while, far too long. Yet both are true; it is a little while compared to what we deserve, but a long while to what we desire. You have each meaning expressed by the prophet Habakuk: ‘If he delays, wait for him, for he will come, and will not delay’ (Hab. 2:3) How is it that he will not delay if he does delay, unless it is that he comes sooner than we deserve but not as soon as we desire?”
Waters of Baptism
John Loncar recently posted a great quotation on Shameless Popery that I found really touching and wanted to share. This is an extract from a letter written by St. Bernard of Clairvaux, a 12th-century theologian and a Doctor of the Church, which he wrote to a couple who had suffered the tragedy of a miscarriage:
“Your faith spoke for this child. Baptism for this child was only delayed by time. Your faith suffices. The waters of your womb — were they not the waters of life for this child? Look at your tears. Are they not like the waters of baptism? Do not fear this. God’s ability to love is greater than our fears. Surrender everything to God.” – St. Bernard of Clairvaux
