Saint Bernard, Abbot, Doctor 

Ezekiel 28:1-10
Deuteronomy 32:26-28,30,35-36
Matthew 19:23-30

YOUR COMMITMENT TO GOD CAN HELP YOU RECEIVE GOD’S GRACE AND OVERCOME ALL TEMPTATIONS

In a contemporary society that esteems affluence and material possessions, and dictates that the value and triumph of our lives be gauged against them, the proclamation by Jesus in today’s gospel passage that it would be “easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle ” than for a wealthy individual to enter the kingdom of God appears both absurd and thought-provoking. This implies the need to detach from numerous worldly pursuits to fully devote oneself to God.

Today, the Church commemorates the feast of St. Bernard, a true exemplar of a devoted disciple of Jesus, who employed all his considerable talents to advance the Kingdom of God. Born into a noble family, he chose to embrace the rigorous Cistercian order, demonstrating a remarkable influence by converting a total of 30 young nobles, including some of his relatives and friends, to religious life.

Wholeheartedly embracing Jesus leads us to attain profound inner peace. What does the heart yearn for: God or something else? What do we cherish above all else? If our response to these queries is God, then we can rejoice, as we have chosen the greatest gift of all.

We express gratitude for such an exceptional saint as St. Bernard and seek the grace to lead lives that contribute to the establishment of God’s Kingdom in our world. God bless.

Fr Joseph Osho