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Holy Cross Abbey

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A Word from the Cistercian Fathers for July

July 6, 2013 by James

Search the Scriptures: you are not mistaken in thinking that you will find life in them, you who are seeking nothing else in them but Christ, to whom the Scriptures bear witness. Blessed indeed are they who search out his testimonies, seek them with all their hearts. Lord, your testimonies are wonderful, therefore my soul sought them.

There is need for searching not only in order to draw out the mystical sense but also to taste the moral sense. Therefore you who stroll in the gardens of the Scriptures, do not pass by heedlessly and idly but search each and every word like busy bees gathering honey from flowers and so reap the Spirit from the words. “For my Spirit”, says Jesus, “is sweeter than honey and my inheritance surpasses the honeycomb”

The Bridegroom’s words, “You, friends, who dwell in the gardens are listening: let me hear your voice,” can be understood in two ways. Either he is inviting a devoted lover to sing psalms or pray, or  he is stirring up a holy preacher to speak. To reinforce his plea, he mentions that friends are listening, that is, the angels  are listening to him who prays or sings psalms.

Let us consider them with what discipline of heart and body we ought to sing psalms or pray in the sight of the angels, lest they be sent away empty and send us away empty, they who had come to carry our prayers up and bring back gifts; lest they withdraw as enemies who had arrived as friends.

The Bridegroom himself now stands at the door and knocks; should no worthy devotion answer him from within and open the door, he will go away complaining and say: “I have given heed and listened: no one says what is good. There is no one who repents of his sins and says: ‘What have I done?’ “

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