Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153), was called “the man of the twelfth century.” His vision of the full extent of the Christian’s spiritual journey and destiny, together with his grasp of the nature of love, are second to none in church history. His exquisite descriptions of romantic love between God and the soul may well have helped to trigger the entrance into and fixation on romantic love in the Middle Ages, which continues unabated unto the present moment.
It is said that Saint Bernard had a “honey-sweet voice.” And he extolled the sweetness of Christ and Christ’s love for us. His pray
er of praise to Jesus connects divine sweetness with human joy. From the former arises the latter:
“Jesus, how sweet is the very thought of you! You fill my heart with joy. The sweetness of your love surpasses the sweetness of honey. Nothing sweeter than you can be described; no words can express the joy of your love. Only those who have tasted your love for themselves can comprehend it. In your love you listen to all my prayers, even when my wishes are childish, my words confused, and my thoughts foolish. And you answer my prayers, not according to my own misdirected desires, which would only bring bitter misery; but according to my real needs, which brings me sweet joy. Thank you, Jesus, for giving yourself to me.”
What effect might the sweetness of Jesus have upon you? As you meditate on this prayer and the sweetness of the love of Christ for you, I will share my own reaction. The love of Jesus being sweet calms me at once, and heightens my confidence to approach him without fear, but rather with open tenderness, to match his own tenderness for me. With sweetness is also understanding and gentleness, and Jesus’ gentleness brightens my love for him, as well as my desire to draw near to him. Such silent sweetness includes an acceptance of me as I am, and a responsiveness to my prayers, ever directed at what I really need, rather than what I think I want.
Central to our faith is the actual sense, if not experience, even taste, of Jesus’ love for us. As Jesus said, “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). What could be sweeter than such a pure, self-giving love? “O taste and see that the LORD is good; happy are those who take refuge in him” (Ps 8:8).
Leave a Reply