You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its strength, what shall it be salted with?
Evangelium Matt 5:13-19
In illo témpore: Dixit Iesus discípulis suis: Vos estis sal terræ. Quod si sal evanúerit, in quo saliétur? Ad níhilum valet ultra, nisi ut mittátur foras, et conculcétur ab homínibus. Vos estis lux mundi. Non potest cívitas abscóndi supra montem pósita. Neque accéndunt lucérnam, et ponunt eam sub módio, sed super candelábrum, ut lúceat ómnibus, qui in domo sunt. Sic lúceat lux vestra coram homínibus, ut videant ópera vestra bona, et gloríficent Patrem vestrum, qui in cœlis est. Nolíte putare, quóniam veni sólvere legem aut prophétas: non veni sólvere, sed adimplére. Amen, quippe dico vobis, donec tránseat cœlum et terra, iota unum aut unus apex non præteríbit a lege, donec ómnia fiant. Qui ergo solvent unum de mandátis istis mínimis, et docúerit sic hómines, mínimus vocábitur in regno cœlórum: qui autem fécerit et docúerit, hic magnus vocábitur in regno cœlórum.
Gospel Matt 5:13-19
At that time Jesus said to His disciples: “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its strength, what shall it be salted with? It is no longer of any use but to be thrown out and trodden underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Neither do men light a lamp and put it under the measure, but upon the lampstand, so as to give light to all in the house. Even so let your light shine before men, in order that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. Do not think that I have come to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For amen I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not one jot or one tittle shall be lost from the Law till all things have been accomplished. Therefore whoever does away with one of these least commandments, and so teaches men, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever carries them out and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
OMELIA DI DON ENRICO RONCAGLIA
E’ molto bello celebrare oggi la festa di S. Bernardo di Chiaravalle, detto “Cantore della Vergine” per la sua predilezione per la BVM. Benedettino, uomo di grande cultura, sapienza e intraprendenza, fondo’ il monastero di Chiaravalle, dando vita all’ordine dei cistercensi.
Ecco le parole di Gesu’ da tenere a mente: «Chi pertanto violerà uno dei minimi di questi comandamenti e insegnerà così agli uomini, sarà tenuto minimo nel regno dei cieli; ma colui che avrà operato ed insegnato, sarà tenuto grande nel regno dei cieli».
Occorre dunque fedelta’ all’insegnamento di Cristo.
San Bernardo fu per questo fine uomo contemplativo e di grande fede, riconosciuto dottore della chiesa, per la sua sapienza, per aver trasmesso l’insegnamento autentico di Cristo.
Nel momento attuale della chiesa il suo esempio e’ illuminante. Occorre infatti far entrare nel nostro cuore e nella nostra mente l’insegnamento di Cristo, dedicandoci con umilta’ e fede – come San Bernardo – alla contemplazione e alla preghiera.
Sia Lodato Gesu Cristo!
HOMILY BY DON ENRICO RONCAGLIA
It is very nice to celebrate today the feast of St. Bernanrdo of Clairvaux, known as the “Singer of the Virgin” due to his predilection for the BVM.
Benedictine, a man of great culture, wisdom and resourcefulness, founded the monastery of Chiaravalle, giving life to the order of the Cistercians.
Here are the words of Jesus to keep in mind: “Whoever therefore violates one of the least of these commandments and thus teaches men, will be kept minimum in the kingdom of heaven; but he who has worked and taught will be held great in the kingdom of heaven. ”
Therefore, faithfulness to the teaching of Christ is needed. St. Bernard was for this purpose a contemplative man of great faith, recognized as a doctor of the church, for his wisdom, for having transmitted the authentic teaching of Christ. In the present moment of the church, his example is illuminating.
In fact, it is necessary to let the teaching of Christ enter our hearts and minds, dedicating ourselves with humility and faith – like Saint Bernard – to contemplation and prayer.
Praised be Jesus Christ!