St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh Part 29

[978] Acts ix. 31, combined with John xiv. 26, etc.

[979] Heb. xiii. 14.

[980] Cp. Heb. iii. 6.

[981] 2 Cor. iv. 18.

[982] John xiv. 28.

[983] Heb. xii. 9.

[984] John xiii. 1.--Cp. Serm. i. - 4 f., "It is the end of labours ... and the entrance to perfect safety. Let us rejoice therefore ...

with our father"; - 8, "Threefold is the rejoicing of the man, since he is delivered from all sin and from labour and from danger"; and words ascribed to St. Bernard in _V.P._ vii. 49, "Believe, my son, for now thou art about to pa.s.s from death to life, from temporal labour to eternal rest."

[985] Communio for All Saints' Day (from Wisd. iii. 2, 3).--For the last four sentences of the section cp. Serm. i. - 5, where an identical pa.s.sage immediately follows the first parallel quoted in n.

3.

[986] Serm. i. - 1 (end) is somewhat similar in expression, and - 8 (end) in thought. There is a closer, but not very striking, parallel in Serm. ii. - 5 (end).

[987] Luke ii. 52.

[988] John xiii. 1 (inexact quotation).

[989] Heb. i. 3.

[990] 2 Cor. v. 7 (inexact quotation).

[991] Cant. viii. 6.

[992] Cp. Eph. iv. 2.

[993] Ps. lxxiv, 19.

[994] Cp. Serm. i. - 3 (beginning).

[995] Ps. cxxvi. 3.

[996] Cp. Serm. i. - 2, "Therefore we render thanks," etc.

[997] Ps. cvi. 45.

[998] Heb. ix. 17 (vg., inexact quotation).

[999] Rom. iv. 12.

[1000] 2 Pet. iii. 11.

[1001] 1 Thess. iv. 1 (vg.).

[1002] Cp. Prov. x. 1.

[1003] Cant. i. 3, 4.--Cp. Serm. i. - 8 (end).

[1004] Col. iv. 3.

SERMONS OF ST. BERNARD ON THE Pa.s.sING OF MALACHY

Sermon I

(November 2, 1148.)[1005]

1. A certain abundant blessing, dearly beloved, has been sent by the counsel of heaven to you this day; and if it were not faithfully divided, you would suffer loss, and I, to whom of a surety this office seems to have been committed, would incur danger. I fear therefore your loss, I fear my own d.a.m.nation,[1006] if perchance it be said, _The young children ask bread, and no man offereth it unto them_.[1007] For I know how necessary for you is the consolation which comes from heaven, since it is certain that you have manfully renounced carnal delights and worldly pleasures. None can reasonably doubt that it was by the good gift of heaven, and _determined by_ divine _purpose_,[1008] that Bishop Malachy should fall asleep among you to-day, and among you have his place of burial, as he desired. For if not even a leaf of a tree _falls_ to _the ground without_ the will of G.o.d,[1009] who is so dull as not to see plainly in the coming of this blessed man, and his pa.s.sing, a truly great purpose of the divine compa.s.sion?[1010] _From the uttermost parts of the earth he came_[1011] to leave his earth here. He was hastening, it is true, on another errand; but we know that by reason of his special love for us he desired that most of all.[1012] He suffered many hindrances in the journey itself, and he was refused permission to cross the sea till the time of his consummation was drawing near,[1013] and the goal which could not be pa.s.sed. And when, with many labours, he came to us _we received him as an angel of G.o.d_[1014] out of reverence for his holiness; but he, out of his very deeply rooted _meekness and lowliness_,[1015] far beyond our merits, received us with devoted love.

Then he spent a few days with us in his usual health: for he was waiting for his companions, who had been scattered in England, when the baseless distrust of the king was hindering the man of G.o.d. And when they had all a.s.sembled to him, he was preparing to set out to the Roman Court, on his way to which he had come hither;[1016] when suddenly he was overtaken by sickness, and he immediately perceived that he was being summoned rather to the heavenly palace, _G.o.d having provided some better thing for us_, lest going out from _us he should be made perfect_ elsewhere.[1017]

2. There appeared to the physicians no sign in him, I say not of death, but even of serious illness; but he, gladdened in spirit, said that in every way it was befitting that this year Malachy should depart from this life.[1018] We laboured to prevent it, both by earnest prayers to G.o.d, and by whatever other means we could; but his merits prevailed, that _his heart's desire should be given him and_ that _the request of his lips_ should _not be withholden_.[1019] For so all things happened to him in accordance with his wishes; that by the inspiration of the divine goodness he had chosen this place above all others, and that he had long desired that he should have as the day of his burial this day on which the general memory of all the faithful is celebrated.[1020]

Moreover, these joys of ours were worthily increased by the circ.u.mstance that we had selected that same day, by G.o.d's will, for bringing hither from the former cemetery for their second burial the bones of our brothers.[1021] And when we were bringing them, and singing psalms in the accustomed manner, the same holy man said that he was very greatly delighted with that chanting. And not long after, he himself also followed, having sunk into a most sweet and blessed sleep. Therefore we render thanks to G.o.d for all the things that He has disposed, because He willed to honour us, unworthy as we are, by his blessed death among us, to enrich His poor with the most costly treasure of his body, and to strengthen us, who are weak, by so great a _pillar_[1022] of His church.

For one or other of two _signs_ proves that it was _wrought for us for good_,[1023] either that this place is pleasing to G.o.d, or that it is His will to make it pleasing to Him, since He led to it _from the uttermost parts of the earth_[1024] so holy a man to die and to be buried there.

3. But our very love for this blessed father compels us to sorrow with that people from our heart, and to shudder exceedingly at the cruelty of him, even Death, who has not spared to inflict this terrible wound on the Church, now so much to be pitied. Terrible and unpitying surely is death, which has punished so great a mult.i.tude of men by smiting one; blind and without foresight, which has tied the tongue of Malachy, arrested his steps, relaxed his hands, closed his eyes. Those devout eyes, I say, which were wont to restore divine grace to sinners, by most tender tears; those most holy _hands_, which had always loved to be occupied in laborious and humble deeds, which so often _offered for_ sinners _the saving sacrifice_[1025] of the Lord's body, and were _lifted up_ to heaven in prayer _without wrath and doubting_,[1026]

which are known to have bestowed many benefits on the sick and to have been resplendent with manifold signs; those _beautiful_ steps also of _him that preached the Gospel of peace and brought glad tidings of good things_; those _feet_,[1027] which were so often wearied with eagerness to show pity; those footprints which were always worthy to merit devout kisses;[1028] finally, those holy _lips of the priest_, which _kept knowledge_,[1029] _the mouth of the righteous_, which _spoke wisdom, and his tongue_ which, _talking of judgement_,[1030] yea _and of mercy_,[1031] was wont to heal so great wounds of souls. And it is no wonder, brothers, that _death_ is iniquitous, since iniquity _brought_ it _forth_,[1032] that it is heedless, since it is known to have been born of _seduction_.[1033] It is nothing wonderful, I say, if it strikes without distinction, since it came from _the transgression_;[1034] if it is cruel and mad, since it was produced by the subtlety of _the old serpent_[1035] and the folly of the woman. But why do we charge against it that it dared to a.s.sail Malachy, a faithful _member_, it is true, _of Christ_,[1036] when it also rushed madly upon the very _head_ of[1037]

Malachy and of all the elect as well? It rushed, a.s.suredly, upon One whom it could not hurt; but it did not rush away unhurt. Death hurled itself against life, and life shut up death within itself, and _death_ was _swallowed up of life_.[1038] Gulping down the hook to its hurt, it began to be held by Him whom it seemed to have held.[1039]

4. But perhaps some one may say, How does it appear that death has been overcome by the Head, if it still rages with so great liberty against the members? If death is dead, how did it kill Malachy? If it is conquered how has it still power over all, and _there is no man that liveth and shall not see death_?[1040] Death is clearly conquered--_the work of the devil_[1041] and the penalty of sin: sin is conquered, the cause of death; and _the wicked one_ himself is _conquered_,[1042] the author both of sin and death. And not only are these things conquered, they are, moreover, already judged and condemned. The sentence is determined, but not yet published. In fact, _the fire is prepared for the devil_,[1043] though he is not yet cast into the fire, though still for _a short time_[1044] he is allowed to work wickedness. He is become, as it were, the hammer of the Heavenly Workman, _the hammer of the whole earth_.[1045] He crushes the elect _for_ their _profit_,[1046] he crushes to powder the reprobate for their d.a.m.nation. As is the _master of the house_, so are _they of his household_,[1047] that is, sin and death. For _sin_, though it is not to be doubted that it was _nailed_ with Christ _to His cross_,[1048] was yet allowed still for a time, _not_ indeed to _reign_,[1049] but to dwell even in the Apostle himself while he lived. I lie if he does not himself say, _It is no more I that do it, but sin dwelleth in me._[1050] So also death itself is by no means, indeed, yet compelled not to be present, but it is compelled not to be present to men's hurt. But there will come a time when it is said, _O death, where is thy victory?_[1051] For death also is _the last enemy that shall be destroyed_.[1052] But now, since He rules _who has the power_ of life and _death_[1053] and confines the very sea within the fixed limits of its sh.o.r.es, death itself to the beloved of the Lord is a sleep of refreshment. The prophet bears witness who says, _When he giveth his beloved sleep, behold the heritage of the Lord._[1054] _The death of the wicked is indeed most evil_,[1055] since their birth is evil and their life more evil; but _precious is the death of the saints_.[1056] Precious clearly, for it is the end of labours, the consummation of victory, the gate of life, and the entrance to perfect safety.

5. Let us rejoice therefore, brothers, let us rejoice as is meet, with our father, for if it is an act of filial piety to mourn for Malachy who is dead, yet more is it an act of piety to rejoice with Malachy who is alive. Is he not alive? He is, and in bliss. Certainly, _in the eyes of the foolish he seemed to have died; but he is in peace_.[1057] In fine, _now a fellow-citizen with the saints, and of the household of G.o.d_,[1058] he at once sings and gives thanks, saying, _We went through fire and water; but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place._[1059]

He _went_, clearly, in manly fashion, and he _went through_[1060]

happily. The true Hebrew celebrated the Pa.s.sover in spirit, and as he went, he said to us, "_With desire I have desired to eat this Pa.s.sover with you._"[1061] _He went through fire and water_,[1062] whom neither experiences of sadness could crush, nor pleasures hold back. For there is below us a place which fire wholly claims as its own, so that the wretched Dives could not have there even the least drop of _water_ from the _finger_ of _Lazarus_.[1063] There is also above _the city of G.o.d_ which _the streams of the river make glad_,[1064] _a torrent of pleasure_,[1065] _a cup which inebriates, how goodly_![1066] Here, _in the midst_, truly is found _the knowledge of good and evil_,[1067] and in this place we may receive the _trial_ of pleasure and _of affliction_.[1068] Unhappy Eve brought us into these alternations. Here clearly is day and night; for in the lower world there is only night, and in heaven only day.[1069] Blessed is the soul which pa.s.ses through both, neither ensnared by pleasure nor _fainting at tribulation_.[1070]

6. I think it right to relate to you, briefly, a specimen of the many splendid deeds of this man, in which he is known to have _gone_, with no little vigour, _through fire and water_.[1071] A tyrannous race laid claim to the metropolitan see of Patrick, the great apostle of the Irish, creating archbishops in regular succession, and _possessing the sanctuary of G.o.d by hereditary right_.[1072] Our Malachy was therefore asked by the faithful to combat such great evils; and _putting his life in his hand_[1073] he advanced to the attack with vigour, he undertook the archbishopric, exposing himself to evident danger, that he might put an end to so great a crime. Surrounded by perils he ruled the church; when the perils were pa.s.sed, immediately he canonically ordained another as his successor. For he had undertaken the office on this condition, that when the fury of persecution had ceased and it thus became possible that another should safely be appointed, he should be allowed to return to his own see.[1074] And there, without ecclesiastical or secular revenues he lived in the religious communities which he himself had formed, dwelling among them up to this time as one of themselves, and abjuring all personal property.[1075] So the fire of _affliction tried_[1076] the man of G.o.d, but did not consume[1077] him; for he was gold. So neither did pleasure hold him captive or destroy him, nor did he stand a curious spectator on the way, forgetful of his own pilgrimage.

7. Which of you, brothers, would not earnestly desire to imitate his holiness, if he dared even to hope for such an attainment? I believe, therefore, you will gladly hear, if I perchance can tell it, what made Malachy holy. But lest our testimony should seem not easy to be received, hear what the Scripture says: _He made him holy in his faith and meekness._[1078] By faith he trampled on the world, as John bears witness when he says, _This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith._[1079] For _in the spirit of meekness_[1080] he endured all things whatsoever that were hard and contrary with _good cheer_.[1081] On the one hand, indeed, after the example of Christ, by faith he trampled on the seas,[1082] lest he should be entangled in pleasures; on the other, _in his patience he possessed his soul_,[1083]

lest he should be crushed by troubles. For concerning these two things you have the saying in the Psalm, _A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand_;[1084] for many more are cast down by the deceitfulness of prosperity than by the lashes of adversity.

Therefore, dearly beloved, let none of us, allured by the level surface of the easier way, suppose that road of the sea to be more convenient for himself. This plain[1085] has great mountains, invisible indeed, but for that very reason more dangerous. That way perhaps seems more laborious which pa.s.ses through the steeps of the hills and the ruggedness of rocks; but to them that have tried it, it is found far safer and more to be desired. But on both sides there is labour, on both sides danger, as he knew who said, _By the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left_;[1086] so that we may rightly rejoice with those that _went through fire and water and have been brought into a wealthy place_.[1087] Do you wish to hear something about the _wealthy place_? Would that another might speak to you of it. For as for me, that which I have not tasted I cannot indite.

8. But I seem to hear Malachy saying to me to-day about this _wealthy place_, _Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee: for he hath delivered my soul from death, [mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling]._[1088] And what I understand to be expressed in those words hear in a few sentences; _for the day is far spent_,[1089] and I have spoken at greater length than I intended, because I am unwilling to tear myself away from the sweetness of the father's name, and my tongue, dreading to be silent about Malachy, fears to cease. The death of the soul,[1090] my brothers, is sin; unless you have overlooked that which you have read in the prophet: _The soul that sinneth, it shall die._[1091] Threefold, then, is the rejoicing of the man, since he is delivered from all sin, and from labour, and from danger. For from this time neither is _sin_ said to _dwell in him_,[1092] nor is the sorrow of penitence enjoined, nor from henceforth is he warned to guard himself _from_ any _falling_.[1093] _Elijah_[1094]

has laid aside his _mantle_;[1095] it was not that he feared, it was not that he was afraid that it should be touched, still less _retained_, by an adulteress.[1096] He went up into the _chariot_;[1097] he is not now in terror of falling; he mounts delightfully; he labours not to fly by his own power, but sits in a swift vehicle. To this _wealthy place_, dearly beloved, _let us run_ with all eagerness of spirit, in _the fragrance of the ointments_ of this our blessed father, who this day has been seen to have stirred up our torpor to most fervent desire. Let us run after him, I say, crying to him again and again, "_Draw us after thee_";[1098] and, with earnest heart and advancing holiness of life, returning devout thanks to the Almighty Pity, that He has willed that His unworthy servants, who are without merits of their own, should at least not be without the prayers of another.

Sermon II

(November 2, 1149)[1099]

1. It is clear, dearly beloved, _that whilst we are_ detained _in the body we are absent from the Lord_.[1100] And throughout this wretched time of detention banishment and conscience of faults enjoins upon us sorrow rather than joy. But because by the mouth of the apostle we are exhorted to _rejoice with them that do rejoice_,[1101] the time and the occasion require that we should be stirred up to all gladness. For if it is true, as the prophet perceived, that _the righteous rejoice before G.o.d_,[1102] without doubt Malachy rejoices, who _in his days[1103]

pleased G.o.d_[1104] and _was found righteous_.[1105] Malachy ministered in _holiness and righteousness before Him_:[1106]the ministry pleased Him; the minister also pleased Him. Why should he not please Him? He _made the Gospel without charge_,[1107] he filled the country with the Gospel, he tamed the deathly barbarism of his Irishmen, with the _sword of the spirit_[1108] he subdued foreign nations to the _light yoke_ of Christ,[1109] _restoring His inheritance to Him[1110] even unto the ends of the earth_.[1111] O, fruitful ministry! O, faithful minister! Is not the promise of the Father to the Son fulfilled through him? Did not the Father behold him long ago when He said to the Son, _I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession_.[1112] How willingly the Saviour received what He had _bought_,[1113] and had _bought with the price_[1114] of _His own blood_,[1115] with the shame of the Cross, with the horror of the Pa.s.sion. How willingly from the hands of Malachy, because he ministered _freely_.[1116] So in the minister the freely executed office was acceptable,[1117] and in the ministry the conversion of sinners was pleasing. Acceptable and pleasing, I say, in the minister was the _singleness of eye_,[1118] but in the ministry _the salvation of the people_.[1119]