In last week’s sermon, pastor Eric read an excerpt from Bernard of Clairvaux on the Song of Songs. Here is the excerpt in full. To read the full sermon by Bernard (and others), go here.
“Where shall a man such as I find the confidence, the daring, to entrust myself to him who is so majestic? How shall I, mere dust and ashes, presume that God takes an interest in me? He is entirely taken up with loving his Father, he has no need of me nor of what I possess. How then shall I find assurance that … he will never fail me? If it be really true, as your prophets have said, that God has determined to show mercy, to reveal himself in a more favorable light,” let him establish a covenant of peace, an everlasting covenant with me” by the kiss of his mouth. If he will keep his word, let him empty himself,” let him humble himself, let him bend to me and kiss me with the kiss of his mouth. If the mediator is to be acceptable to both parties, equally dependable in the eyes of both, then let him who is God’s Son become man, let him become the Son of Man, and fill me with assurance by this kiss of his mouth. When I come to recognize that he is truly mine, then I shall feel secure in welcoming the Son of God as mediator. Not even a shadow of mistrust can then exist, for after all he is my brother, and my own flesh. It is impossible that I should be spurned by him who is bone from my bones, and flesh from my flesh.”
– Bernard of Clairvaux, Sermon 2 on the Song of Songs, Point 6.