Truth

                                                                                                                                  

Every Christian is called to be a mystic. That call is a deepening of our relationship with God. We should not be afraid to embrace it. Bernard and Catherine are terrific examples. Their lives fascinate me. Bernard was a 12th century saint who wrote deeply from the heart. His writings and poetry are filled with love imagery. He is a heart-mystic. Catherine, a 14th century saint, spoke a lot about being saved by the blood of Christ. She is a blood-mystic. These are only artificial definitions; the greater definition is to be called a Christian. As Christians, like all peoples, we are always seeking Truth and deepening that knowledge of it. Both mystics spoke a lot about Truth.
   Here are some of Bernard's words: "The Lord always comes with grace and truth." "Without the recognition of God's grace, we cannot look at ourselves in the knowledge of God's compassion."
"But where sin abounded; grace became superabundant."
Bernard always recognized his weaknesses of character. I like his expression: "one's sincerity is not always enough." He is the dream Vocations-Director. We are told mothers hid their sons when Bernard spoke of religious life and wives kept their husbands at home. The mellifluous teacher was that convincing when he spoke about Christ.
   Here are some of Catherine's words: "God's mercy is incomparably greater than all the sins anyone could commit." She believed we have to begin with Truth or the journey of life is bound to have a poor ending. I once began a talk on Catherine by offering a "hearty soup" first. This is how she described God's intense love. She called God, "a mad lover". When Catherine began her ministry, she was a dynamo whose ferocious and persuasive language drove Pope Gregory XI from Avignon back to Rome in 1377.
   These two vibrant individuals deserve more attention and I hope you find the time to read their biographies. What I want to underline is their desire for Truth. Do we temper our words with grace or do we always hammer the Truth away? Do we accept that the message of happiness is more powerful than all our problems? Do we fix our eyes solely on ourselves than on God's compassion? Do we speak Truth with grace?
   God's loving-kindness, what Christians liken as grace, is free. We can avail ourselves of the opportunities around us. Be open & ready! +Don Ronaldo