If you think you Love Mary Enough, your’re WRONG – Aug 20 – Homily – Fr Matthias

 

Fr Matthias gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Aug 20, 2024, on how St. Bernard of Clairvaux, renowned for his holiness and devotion to Mary, illustrates how even saints sometimes fall short in fully recognizing the greatness of what God has done for Our Lady, yet drawing close to her brings us closer to God.

St. Bernard of Clairvaux was born in 1091 in France and, at the age of 20, became a Cistercian monk. St. Bernard was highly gifted and used his talents to reform the monastery he joined, attracting many vocations to a life of austerity, penance, and prayer, and spreading this reform throughout Europe. His holiness was evident, leading others to holiness as well. Despite his contemplative and hidden life, Bernard became renowned across Europe for his spiritual teachings and active involvement in the Church. He was notably a fervent preacher of the Second Crusade and a counselor to Church leaders, including popes. His effectiveness stemmed from his deep connection to God and his devotion to Our Lady, the Mediatrix. Father draws a connection between St. Bernard's devotion and the wisdom described in the first reading, where God, through Mary, gave him great wisdom.

However, there is an ironic aspect to St. Bernard's Marian devotion. Despite his deep reverence, he did not fully acknowledge the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception, which was not yet dogmatically defined in his time. The theological debates of the period focused on whether Mary was sinless from the moment of her conception or shortly afterward. St. Bernard, cautious and thorough in his theology, stopped short of affirming the Immaculate Conception, fearing it would conflict with the doctrine of Redemption. This highlights that even saints, who deeply loved Our Lady, could err in their understanding of her holiness, though they never exaggerated her glory.

Father then reflects on how, throughout Church history, saints and theologians, in their well-intentioned caution not to exaggerate Mary's glory, often fell short of fully appreciating the greatness of what God had done for her. He notes that this idea was discussed during the Second Vatican Council, where it was acknowledged that no saint or theologian has ever taught that Mary is equal to her Son, and therefore, there is no need to fear excess in Marian devotion. Even St. Maximilian Kolbe, who showed extraordinary devotion to Mary, was recognized by Pope Paul VI as never fully reaching the level of veneration Mary deserves. Father concludes by affirming that true Catholic theology, guided by Scripture, tradition, and the magisterium, will always recognize that Mary is as close to God as a creature can be. The closer we draw to Mary, the closer we come to God.

Ave Maria!

Mass: St. Bernard of Clairvaux - Mem - http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=559
Readings: Tuesday in the 20th Week in Ordinary Time - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/082024.cfm
1st: eze 28:1-10
Resp: deu 32:26-28, 30, 35-36
Gsp: mat 19:23-30

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1138&r=919

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