Letters273 Letter CCLXXIII. To pope Eugenius (A.D. 1150)
Letter CCLXXIII. To pope Eugenius (A.D. 1150)
Bernard thanks the Pope for the affectionate letter he had sent to the Chapter of Citeaux.
To his loving father and lord, EUGENIUS, by the grace of God Supreme Pontiff, Brother BERNARD, called Abbot of Clairvaux, sends humble greeting.
1. The voice of the turtle has been heard in our Chapter; we have exulted and rejoiced. Your words are pure, burning with zeal, prudent and discerning. The spirit of life breathes in your letters, a spirit mighty, thundering, chiding, and provoking us with a godly jealousy. I cannot say which pleased me most, your graciousness or our benefit; the condescension of your majesty, or the exaltation of our humility; the sharpness of your severity, or the soothing sweetness of your fatherly love. Those amongst us who in any small degree were hungering after righteousness were refreshed; those who cared little for it were moved; those who cared nothing were confounded. 1 beseech you to act in this way always. That care which you are bound to take for all, is not to be withdrawn, nay, rather it is the more anxiously to be given to those whose special due it is. Charity is kind and can spread itself abroad, but not diminish aught. Let her call together others, then, but let it be in our company. It specially becomes your Apostleship to cherish all who can say with the Apostles, Lo! we have left all and followed Thee (S. Matt. xix. 27). They ought not to be left who have left themselves. They are the Lord's little ones, and put their trust in Him; they will not be abandoned by a faithful and wise servant, least of all by Him to whom the whole has been entrusted. This little flock is a part of the "whole, little, indeed, but, unless I am mistaken, they have merited to have God for their Father, and they will receive a crown of glory from the hand of their Lord, and a diadem from Him in the Kingdom of their God. For they do not think it robbery to be heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ. They have heard the words: Fear not little flock, it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom (S. Luke. xii. 32). Enough of this.
2. The Abbot of Trois-Fontaines had been planted well beside the streams of waters. But I am afraid that a good tree bringing forth good fruit may, when taken up, bring forth none. I have sometimes seen a vine fruitful when first planted, then barren. I have seen a tree when well planted flourish, and when transplanted wither away. And, therefore, if you do not send him back to me you will wound my feelings grievously, for we are one heart and one soul. As long as that heart is divided, each part must necessarily be stained with its own blood. How shall I, having lost the prop of my old age, be able to bear alone the burden which
Amantissimo patri et domino EUGENIO, Dei gratia summo Pontifici, frater BERNARDUS Clarae-Vallis vocatus abbas, modicum id quod est.
1. Vox turturis audita est in capitulo nostro: exsultavimus, et delectati sumus. Plane eloquium castum, fervidum zelo, cautum scientia. Spiritus vitae spirabat in litteris, spiritus vehemens, intonans et increpans, et aemulans nos Dei aemulatione. Fateor, non facile dixerim quid me amplius delectarit in illis, vestra benignitas, an nostra utilitas; inclinata majestas, an erecta humilitas; mordens severitas, an mulcens paternitas. Qui in nobis quantulumcumque esuriebant justitiam, refecti sunt; qui minus, compuncti sunt; qui minime, confusi sunt. Ita, quaeso, ita jugiter faciatis. Sollicitudo quae omnibus debetur, nullo modo his, quibus specialilius debetur, subtrahenda est, sed propensius exhibenda. Charitas benigna est: dilatare se, non minorare novit. Colligat sane et alios, sed nobiscum: nec alienum a vestro apostolatu fovere ejusmodi, qui cum apostolis loqui possunt: Ecce nos reliquimus omnia, et secuti sumus te. Non sunt relinquendi, qui ipsi se reliquerunt. Pusilli Domini sunt, in ipsum credentes: non deseret eos fidelis servus et prudens, is praesertim cui credita universitas est. Nempe universitatis portio hi: et quidem pusillus grex, sed qui, ni fallor, meruerunt patrem habere Deum, accepturi coronam gloriae de manu Domini, et diadema regni de manu Dei sui. Nec enim rapinam arbitrantur esse se haeredes Dei, cohaeredes autem Christi. Denique audierunt: Nolite timere, pusillus grex, quia complacuit Patri vestro dare vobis regnum. De his interim satis.
2. Abbas Trium Fontium bene plantatus erat, utpote secus decursus aquarum. Vereor ego, ne arbor bona faciens fructum bonum, explantata faciat nullum. Vidimus interdum vitem in prima plantatione fecundam, in secunda sterilem. Vidimus lignum bene plantatum virescere, transplantatum arescere. Graviter proinde vulnerastis cor meum, si non remittitis eum: quia sumus cor unum et anima una. Quandiu divisum erit, necesse erit ut utraque pars suo sanguine cruentetur. Heu! onus quod ambo vix portabamus, quomodo portabo solus, subducto baculo senectutis meae? Si de me parum est, moveat vos totius Ordinis plaga non parva: et ne spe incerti boni, tam certa interim mala fieri velitis. Quod si omnino vobis in eo complacuit, ut retineatis eum; placeat, obsecro, commendatum habere ipsum, ac deinceps ad Deum levare manus, ut dignetur idoneum pro eo virum providere domui illi. De caetero super his quae pro communi utilitate totius ordinis, et pro aliis quoque negotiis eidem abbati dignum, imo et necessarium judicavimus ad vos perferenda committere, festinatum exposcimus Benignitatis vestrae responsum; sed responsum facti, non verbi.