There is another arrow: the living and active word of God that cuts more keenly than any two-edged sword, of which our Savior said: “I have not come to send peace but the sword.” “A polished arrow” too is that special love of Christ, which not only pierced Mary’s soul but penetrated through and through, so that even the tiniest space in her virginal breast was permeated by love. Thenceforth she would love with her whole heart, her whole soul and her whole strength, and be full of grace. It transpierced her thus that it might come down even to us, and of that fullness we might all receive. She would become the mother of that love whose father is the God who is love; and when that love was brought to birth he would place his tent in the sun, that the Scripture might be fulfilled: “I will make you the Light of the Nations, so that you may be my salvation to the ends of the earth.” This was fulfilled through Mary, who brought forth in visible flesh him whom she conceived invisibly, neither from the flesh nor by means of the flesh. In the process she experienced through her whole being a wound of love that was mighty and sweet; and I would reckon myself happy if at rare moments I felt at least the prick of the point of that sword. Even if only bearing love’s slightest wound, I could still say: “I am wounded with love.” How I long not only to be wounded in this manner but to be assailed again and again till the color and heat of that flesh that wars against the spirit is overcome. Bernard of Clairvaux On the Song of Songs II, Sermon 29 “On Discord in the Church and in Communities,” verse 8 (CF 7, p. 109-110)
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