Episode 2940: The Mystical Love of Christ - Nightly Episode

“O my God, at the end of this day I thank You most heartily for all the graces I have received from You. I am sorry that I have not made better use of them. I am sorry for all the sins I have committed against You. Forgive me, O my God, and graciously protect me this night. Blessed Virgin Mary, my dear heavenly mother, take me under your protection. St. Joseph, my dear Guardian Angel, and all you saints of God, pray for me. Sweet Jesus, have pity on all poor sinners, and save them from hell. Have mercy on the suffering souls in purgatory. Amen.”
The Mystical Love of Christ: St. Bernard’s Sermons on the Song of Songs
Today, we will embark on a deeply spiritual journey through the mystical writings of St. Bernard of Clairvaux his Sermons on the Song of Songs. This work, which consists of 86 sermons, is one of the greatest treasures of Catholic spirituality, revealing the profound mystery of the soul’s love for Christ through the allegory of the Bride and Bridegroom. St. Bernard, a Doctor of the Church and a pillar of monastic theology, offers us an intimate understanding of divine love that draws us into the heart of God.
________________________________________
1. Who Was St. Bernard of Clairvaux?
• Born in 1090 in Burgundy, France
• Joined the Cistercian Order and reformed monastic life
• Preacher of the Second Crusade
• Theologian and mystic known for his deep Marian devotion
• Declared a Doctor of the Church
Quote from St. Bernard:
"Jesus is honey in the mouth, music in the ear, a song in the heart."
________________________________________
The Context of the Song of Songs in Catholic Tradition
• A book of the Old Testament written in poetic and allegorical form.
• The Church Fathers and Doctors, including St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas, saw it as a representation of Christ’s love for His Church.
• St. Bernard expands on this theme, emphasizing the soul’s union with Christ.
Quote from the Song of Songs (Douay-Rheims):
"Let him kiss me with the kiss of his mouth: for thy breasts are better than wine." (Song of Songs 1:1)
• This verse symbolizes the divine intimacy between Christ and the soul, interpreted by St. Bernard as the desire for union with God.
3. The Main Themes of St. Bernard’s Sermons
A. The Soul as the Bride of Christ
• The Song of Songs is not just about human love but a mystical representation of the soul’s longing for God.
• St. Bernard sees the bride as the Church but also as each individual soul seeking deeper communion with Christ.
• The "kiss" represents the Holy Spirit’s action, drawing the soul into divine intimacy.
St. Bernard’s Reflection:
"Nothing is sweeter than love, nothing stronger, nothing higher, nothing more generous, nothing more pleasant, nothing fuller or better in heaven and on earth; for love is born of God."

B. The Role of Contemplation
• St. Bernard emphasizes that growth in love requires deep contemplation and prayer.
• Silence and solitude are necessary to hear the voice of the Divine Bridegroom.
C. The Purification of the Soul
• The journey of the soul toward God is one of purification, where the soul must detach from earthly desires.
• St. Bernard describes the trials and sufferings that refine the soul to be worthy of divine love.
St. Bernard’s Warning:
"You wish to reach the highest peak of perfection, but do not wish to climb the hill of difficulty? You will never reach the heights unless you take the path of the cross."
D. Mary as the Model of the Bride
• The Blessed Virgin Mary embodies perfect union with God and serves as the example for all souls.
• Her fiat ("Let it be done to me according to thy word") reflects the total surrender St. Bernard calls for in his sermons.
________________________________________
4. The Relevance of St. Bernard’s Teachings Today
• In an age of distraction, his call to contemplation is more necessary than ever.
• Modern Catholics often struggle with intimacy with God due to secular distractions—St. Bernard’s writings help refocus the soul.
• The mysticism of the Church has been neglected in modern times, but his sermons rekindle the flames of divine love.
The Main Themes of St. Bernard’s Sermons
A. The Soul as the Bride of Christ
• The journey of the soul is one of deep longing for God.
• The Bride (the soul) experiences desire, purification, and eventual union with the Bridegroom (Christ).
• St. Bernard compares this mystical love to a courtship where the soul must learn complete trust and surrender.
St. Bernard’s Words:
"You wish to reach the highest peak of perfection, but do not wish to climb the hill of difficulty? You will never reach the heights unless you take the path of the cross." (Sermon 84:5)
B. The Kiss of God – The Divine Infusion of Love
• The ‘kiss’ in the Song of Songs is not a worldly expression of love but a mystical experience.
• St. Bernard sees it as the moment when God communicates Himself directly to the soul.
St. Bernard’s Reflection:
"The soul that loves, if it continues in love, will be happy and blessed through all eternity, because to love is to be united with God." (Sermon 83:4)
C. The Three Stages of Love
St. Bernard outlines three progressive stages of divine love:
1. Love of self for self’s sake – Natural human love, self-centered.
2. Love of God for self’s sake – A conditional love where we love God because He blesses us.
3. Love of God for God’s sake – The purest form of love, where we seek God for who He is, not for what He gives.
D. The Role of Contemplation and Silence
• True intimacy with Christ requires withdrawal from distractions.
• The modern world is full of noise, but St. Bernard urges us to silence our hearts to hear God’s voice.
St. Bernard’s Words:
"O my brethren, flee from the tumult of the world, for the mystery of God is found not in noise but in solitude." (Sermon 74:1)
E. Mary as the Perfect Bride of Christ
• The Blessed Virgin Mary is the model of spiritual purity and divine union.
• Her fiat ("Be it done unto me") is the perfect response of the soul to God’s call.
St. Bernard’s Reflection on Mary:
"Look to the star of the sea, call upon Mary! In danger, in distress, in doubt, think of Mary, call upon Mary. With her for a guide, you shall not go astray." (Sermon 84:7)
________________________________________
Conclusion & Call to Action
St. Bernard’s Sermons on the Song of Songs remind us that the Christian life is a love story—one of longing, purification, and divine union. Let us seek to live as the Bride of Christ, purifying our hearts and allowing Him to draw us into His embrace.
Closing Prayer:
(A traditional Catholic prayer asking for the intercession of St. Bernard and Our Lady, such as the Memorare.)
Final Words:
"May we, like St. Bernard, pursue the mystical love of Christ, finding our peace only in Him."