Letters414 Letter CDXIV. To the Monk Alard on the same subject.
Letter CDXIV. To the Monk Alard on the same subject.
Bernard blames him for obstinately opposing the return of the before mentioned novice when expelled, although he was disposed to return and amend.
To his dear son Alard, Brother Bernard, health and paternal affection.
1. Brother Adamar complains that you have shown yourself too bitter against him: not only because he was expelled from the convent by your influence, but be- - cause the exercise of the same influence prevents his being re-admitted. I am quite willing to believe that you have acted throughout this matter only from the purest zeal; but when recollect that (former) obstinacy of yours which my friendly zeal for you causes me often to reproach you with, as you know, I fear lest this same zeal of yours is not according to knowledge. For even to lay aside the words of the Rule, what audacity is it in any one to strike and to excommunicate, much more to expel, any person when the Abbot was absent and knew nothing of it. Would it not have been more a proof of your humility not to do to another what you would not wish done to yourself? And ought not the pursuit of your perfection to have brought you rather to imitate the Apostle when he says, To the weak become I as weak, that I might gain the weak (1 Cor. ix. 22) and again: If a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual restore such an one in the spirit of lenity, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted (Gal. vi. 1)? But the 1 Rule of S. Benedict, c. 70.
Prior, you reply, expelled him and not I. I know that well, but he did so at your persuasion, and indeed yielded to your strong representations. But now when the Prior himself pitying him, wishes, as I have heard, to recall him, because you remain in the same harshness of feeling he is not suffered to amend a step taken without sufficient reflection, and under pressure from you. I demand of you how you dare, without fearing, to remain alone implacable, so that while all the others pity him, and the Lord Abbot himself is disposed to recall him, you cannot be brought to agree he shall be received again? Have you not read, He shall have judgment without mercy who has showed no mercy (S. James ii. 13)? or again, are you forgetful that With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again (S. Matt. vii. 2)? Do you in truth despise that which is promised to the merciful, They shall obtain mercy (Id. v. 7)?.
2. But you do not know, you reply, how justly he was expelled. To this I say, I do not inquire whether he was expelled justly or unjustly; that is not the point. That which alone I complain of, that which blame, that which I wonder at extremely, is that when the man humbly acknowledges his fault, when he asks pardon, when he patiently awaits your decision and promises amendment, he cannot obtain a favourable hearing; although the Apostle in such a case, would have love confirmed towards him (2 Cor. ii. 8); and according to the giver of our Rule, he should have a new probation with all patience.' At all events: if he were unfairly expelled, it is fair that he should be recalled; but if fairly, even then it would be a pious action to receive him again. Wherefore without wishing to go to the bottom of the affair, the course which I advise 1 Rule of S. Benedict C. 58.
Letter CDXV.
will, I consider, be a safe one for you: and thus whether you act from a sentiment of justice or of mercy, you are sure to act in union with our just and merciful God. I entreat you then, my dear son, not to refuse to my entreaties, which this man has come so far to ask for, that benefit, which you did not think fit to grant to his own.
Dilecto filio suo ALARDO, frater BERNARDUS, paternae dilectionis affectum.
1. Conqueritur frater Adamarus, quod ei nimis amarus exstiteris: non solum quia te agente domo expulsus sit, sed quia te quoque prohibente reconciliari non possit. Et ego quidem non nisi bono zelo te id facere crediderim: sed cum recordor tuae illius obstinationis, quam tibi amicissima, ut scis, fiducia soleo saepe improperare; vereor, ne idem zelus tuus non sit secundum scientiam. Nam ut ipsa Regulae verba ponam, quantae audaciae est quemquam caedere, aut excommunicare, nedum eliminare, abbate scilicet absente et nesciente? An non magis tuae humilitatis erat, alii non facere quod tibi nolles fieri? Imo tuae perfectionis esse debuerat Apostolum potius imitari dicentem, Factus sum infirmis infirmus, ut infirmos lucrifacerem; et rursum: Vos qui spirituales estis, instruite hujusmodi in spiritu lenitatis; considerans te ipsum, ne et tu tenteris? At Prior, inquies, illum ejecit, non ego. Et hoc quidem ipse novi: sed te suadente, te omnimodis compellente. Unde et nunc cum eum, sicut audivi, ipse quoque Prior miseratus cupiat revocare; te in tua perdurante duritia, non sinitur emendare, quod compulsus est indiscretus egisse. Rogo, quae est haec securitas, ut, caeteris omnibus miserantibus, ipso quoque domino abbate propitio, tu solus implacabilis flecti non queas ut recipiatur? An non legisti, Judicium sine misericordia ei qui non fecit misericordiam? An oblitus es quod rursum scriptum est. In qua mensura mensi fueritis, remetietur vobis? An vero contemnis quod misericordibus promissum est, Quoniam ipsi misericordiam consequentur?
2. Sed nescis, inquis, quam juste expulsus sit. Sed juste, an injuste expulsus sit, non quaero, nec curo modo: sed hoc tantum queror, hoc causor, hoc vehementer admiror, quod humiliter satisfaciens, instanter petens, patienter sustinens, emendationem promittens, nec sic quidem exaudiri meretur, ut juxta Apostolum confirmetur in eo charitas, et secundum magistrum nostrum probetur iterum in omni patientia. Certe si injuste expulsus fuit, justum est ut revocetur: si juste, pium est ut recipiatur. Unde et hoc nostrum consilium, licet indiscussa causa, arbitratus sum esse securum, quo fit, ut sive per justitiam, sive per misericordiam a justo et misericorde Deo non recedatur. Rogo ergo te, dilectissime fili, ut quod ille suis apud te precibus non meruit, vel nostris, quas tam longe quaesivit, valeat adipisci.