I knew a man named Bernie. He never used his full name, Bernhard, because he hated being named after a dog. I tried to convince him that he was probably named after  Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux, but he never accepted that explanation. Too bad, because Bernard was quite a person.

Bernard (1090-1153) was born into the Burgundian nobility. At the age of 22, while Bernard was at prayer in a church, he felt the calling of God to enter the monastery of Cîteaux, founded 14 years before by monks who felt a stricter adherence to the Rule of St. Benedict was needed. From this monastery the Cistercian order developed. Bernard was so enthused by God’s call that he persuaded 30 of his friends and relatives to enter the monastery as well.

Bernard so took to monastic life that three years later he was sent as an abbot to found a new monastery which he called Clairvaux. Rather than being a quiet monk (the Cistercians spend much of their time in silence), Bernard became a church leader renowned throughout Europe. He battled heresy, took on laxity among other monastics, intervened in political disputes, and preached the Second Crusade.

Martin Luther held Bernard in highest regard. Most Lutherans are familiar with Bernard’s poetry which has come to us in hymns such as “Jesus the Very Thought of Thee,” “Jesus thou Joy of Loving Hearts,” and “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded.”

Bernard’s life took an unexpected turn when God called him to serve in a special way. How has God called you?

Read 2 Peter 1:10 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne