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CHAPTER 14 Analecta of Various Deeds Added to the Vita
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CHAPTER 14 Analecta ofVarious Deeds Added to the Vita 127. If anyone wishes to hear how intolerable it was to Bernard if anything better than the ordinary food was served to him in the refectory, let him hear what Bernard often did. When he entered the kitchen one day, he saw a little pot cooking on the fire with the others. When he asked whose it was, he learned that it was meant for himself, whereupon in considerable indignation he seized it, poured, and mixed it in with the others. Mterward , he sternly rebuked the brother, who had acted on his own. Another time, when he entered the refectory at mealtime, he went to the high table in order to ring the little bell. When he saw bread placed there that was whiter than the others' servings, surreptitiously he seized the bread, concealed it, and put it at the place of an old monk whose bread he took for his own. The brother refectorian, who forgot to put water in Bernard's cup, fell repeatedly at his feet as he confessed his fault and in tears asked for forgiveness. Raising him, the very gentle man of God consoled him kindly by saying: "Do not be so distressed about it, son, for it was not your fault as you thought but happened by the will of God, who disposes in all things. Since He knew I was not in need, He was led to persuade you to omit what was superfluous." No one else took such care to avoid the snares of gluttony and ostentation. So that he would not be struck by the weapon ofvainglory he tasted whatever was put before him, and so as not to indulge his palate he quickly pushed away what he had just tasted. 128. He took solicitous care of the sick and weak, and he paid utmost attention to succoring spiritual illnesses. Since, least of all, he showed no partiality (Acts 10:34, Rom 2:11, RB 2:20), he was brightened by his constant pleasant conversations with the poor, and he gave himself up completely to their friendship, which he found exceedingly sweet. A solicitous observer, he did not fail to inquire about the customs, life, and souls of all persons . He considered himself to be a physician sent by God to cure spiritual illnesses more than physical illnesses. Therefore, since he made light of physical illnesses, he would pretend that they did not exist; but since he inquired closely about spiritual malaise, he would endeavor to cure it completely. For he rejoiced chiefly in the salvation ofsouls, not in the heights of preferment , whereas many make light of their own souls and lighter still of the souls of others. What more shall I say? This heavenly light, which in His compassion the kind Source of Light kindled to illuminate the world, wished to hide in the obscurity of the desert, but Almighty God, whose counsel stands forever, alters the counsel ofmen (Ps 33=10-11). He disposed otherwise and dispersed Bernard's rays far and wide, so that He lit up the world by the splendor ofsuch a great light. 129. Therefore, inspired by the famous reputation of so brilliant a man, countless people ofvarious nations would hurry toward him as if toward a light set by God Himself in the candelabrum of the Holy Church. By the grace of the Divine Word the admirable servant of God, who restored them within, would admonish them to turn away from the vanities and worldly follies of this fleeting existence. He said that he would not consider a man to be of sound mind if he hesitated to exchange the least for the most, the common for the precious, and the transitory ANALECTA OF VARIOUS DEEDS 131 [54.152.77.92] Project MUSE (2024-03-28 21:14 GMT) for the eternal. He said that the pleasures of a brief and transitory life vanish like a dream, and the day ofdeath lies in wait for man, like an enemy, which will plunge evildoers and unbelievers into the pit to burn perpetually with the Devil and his angels but will admit the truly holy from the exile of this life into the glorious liberty of the children of God (Rom 8:21). While the man of God gave this and other similar instruction, so many people attached themselves to him after renouncing worldly vanities that they could justly be said to have changed for the...