A rest with St. Bernard

When I learned today was your day of remembrance, I took some time to learn more about your life. You were a teacher, preacher, and healer of divisions.You honored Mary, calling her the treasure and heart of God. While you longed for a quiet life of prayer and service in the Abby, God called you to use your gifts of communication to bridge the gaps for the church and communities that beckoned. You took your call to share good news seriously - but felt the pain of your words being twisted. That pain is said to be what ended your life too soon.

If we were to sit down for a chat, I'd ask how you maintained balance; one foot in the church and the other in the world. While I might not be preaching to the masses like you; I understand what it's like to stand with each foot on different plots.

As a pastor today, you would probably be defined a community developer-redeveloper.
You would be working with new and old systems.
You would be cultivating new ways for the church to serve the world.
I think you would get it.
Actually, I know you get it.

You and I aren't promised a level path.
In fact, our call is to prepare the way for others.
Without your work, I don't think I'd be here - I know I wouldn't.

As we carry our scythes, we cut down weeds, we dig up old rocks,
we turn the soil and plant the seeds of good news
wherever we happen to be standing at the time.

We are called to be faithful and tend the place we find our feet.
To tend, to heal, to seed - as you walk.
To tend, to heal, to seed - as I walk.
To tend, to heal, to seed - as we walk.

Thank you Bernard for this rest.
It's good to know your company,
if only for a moment of mutual
understanding and encouragement.

Until we meet again, it's time to tend, to heal, to seed -
as we walk in the valley of light.

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Uphill idealist

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