5 April 2024
Surely the man who said “My sin is too great to merit pardon” was wrong.
He was speaking as though he were not a member of Christ and had no share in
his merits, so that he could claim them as his own, as a member of the body can
claim what belongs to the head. As for me, what can I appropriate that I lack
from the heart of the Lord who abounds in mercy? They pierced his hands and
feet and opened his side with a spear. Through the openings of these wounds I
may drink honey from the rock and oil from the hardest stone: that is, I may
taste and see that the Lord is sweet. He was thinking thoughts of peace, and I
did not know it, for who knows the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?
But the piercing nail has become a key to unlock the door, that I may see the
good will of the Lord. And what can I see as I look through the hole? Both the
nail and the wound cry out that God was in Christ reconciling the world to
himself. The sword pierced his soul and came close to his heart, so that he
might be able to feel compassion for me in my weaknesses. Through these sacred
wounds we can see the secret of his heart, the great mystery of love, the
sincerity of his mercy with which he visited us from on high. Where have your
love, your mercy, your compassion shone out more luminously than in your
wounds, sweet, gentle Lord of mercy? More mercy than this no one has than that
he lay down his life for those who are doomed to death. My merit comes from his
mercy; for I do not lack merit so long as he does not lack pity. And if the
Lord’s mercies are many, then I am rich in merits. For even if I am aware of
many sins, what does it matter? Where sin abounded grace has overflowed. And if
the Lord’s mercies are from all ages forever, I too will sing of the mercies of
the Lord forever. Will I not sing of my own righteousness? No, Lord, I shall be
mindful only of your justice. Yet that too is my own; for God has made you my
righteousness.
Bernard of Clairvaux
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