Of all the movements, sensations and feelings of the soul, love is the only one in which the creature can respond to the Creator and make some sort of similar return however unequal though it be. For when God loves, all He desires is to be loved in return. The sole purpose of His love is to be loved, in the knowledge that those who love Him are made happy by their love of Him.
–Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153
Sorrow for sin is indeed necessary, but it should not be an endless preoccupation. You must dwell also on the glad remembrance of God’s loving kindness. Otherwise sadness will harden the heart and lead it more deeply into despair.
–Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153)
If we are faced with difficulties, we will turn to God for help with many difficulties, we will turn to God for help with increasing frequency. As God continues to help, even the coldest heart will be warmed.
–Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153)
How can you entertain a doubt of Jesus pardoning your sins, when He has affixed them to the Cross, whereon He died for you, with the very nails by which His own hands were pierced?
–Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153)
The saints have no need of honor from us; neither does our devotion add the slightest thing to what is theirs. Clearly, if we venerate their memory, it serves us, not them. But I tell you, when I think of them, I feel myself inflamed by tremendous yearning.
–Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153)
