Bernie the reformer

St Bernard of Clairvaux lived during the early part of the 12th century. A Benedictine monk, he was greatly bothered by the influence that wealth and power had in the monastic community. Reflecting carefully on the Rule of St. Benedict, as well as sacred scripture, Bernard realized that the Benedictines were no longer living according to their original calling. With courage and perseverance Bernard brought about a great reform of monastic life, with the development of the Cistercians. A very austere order of men and women which exists even today,

St. Bernard is one of many men and women in the Church throughout its history who observed brokenness or lethargy. Reflecting closely on the mission and ministry of Jesus and the early Church, recognized that there needed to be a renewal. I think about people like Catherine of Siena who encouraged the Pope to return to Rome and to face the sin and evil there. Or Francis of Assisi who gave up everything to live for and with the poor. To be sure these are holy people opened to the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

If anything we are in dire need of that sort of charisma in our Church. Too often we are content with weaving prayer rugs out of navel lint. Certainly we don't mean we should do anything we want or be moved by our wants and whims. There is that core message in the scripture that challenges us to share the 'Good News' to the ends of the earth. I like to talk about conversion and discipleship a lot, and in a very real way that seems to be what our Church is really about.

Sometimes we as Church, and a catholics, are too shy or timid in publicly professing our faith. I remember one parish in which the pastoral council persons commented that the most important thing their parish does is their dinners. Eek. It is important for holy men and women today to take courage and to pronounce their faith, In the end we take responsibility for our faith communities and the faith which we pass on, as the Church.