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128.1
First Point
From
his earliest youth Saint Bernardine had such great prudence and
self-control that the most disorderly of his fellow students were prudent
and reserved in his presence and did not dare to speak of anything that
was the least bit unbecoming. When they saw him coming from a distance,
they said to one another, "No more of this talk; here comes
Bernardine."
Are you likewise equally self-controlled and reserved, not only in
the presence of your Brothers, but of your students as well? Do you give
them a similar example of proper behavior?
Does what they observe in you make such an impression on them that
it alone is able to make them behave properly? This is the good effect
that your position as their teachers should produce in those under your
guidance.
There is no one to whom you cannot and should not try to be helpful
by the example of your virtues. This was the first way Saint Bernardine
practiced his zeal, and it is also the way you are obliged to preach to
everyone, and the principal apostolic function you must exercise.
128.2
Second Point
This saint wished to become a religious, but did not know which
order to join. He thought that he could not take any better means to find
out than to have recourse to prayer, and that is what he did. Kneeling
before a crucifix, he very earnestly begged God for the grace to learn
what his vocation was. At once he heard a voice which said to him,” You
see me entirely naked on this cross; if you love me and seek me, you will
find me here; but strive to empty yourself and crucify yourself."
This convinced him to join the Order of Saint Francis; after selling
his property and giving the money to the poor,[i]
he exercised his zeal on himself by crucifying himself, for he was at
first subject to violent temptations. He fasted continually, slept on the
floor, spent nights in prayer, and labored without ceasing. When he went
begging, the little children often threw stones at him, and he suffered
disgraceful calumnies.
Is prayer the first means you use to know God's will? When you are
in doubt, do you resolve to do what is most likely to crucify you[ii]
and make you die to yourself? These are two sure ways to know God's will
and do it.
128.3 Third Point
This
saint was assigned to be a preacher, and in this function he showed so
much zeal that he preached every day without dispensing himself from choir
or the other religious exercises, although he continued to preach for 28
years. Through his sermons he converted a great number of persons by
inspiring them with devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus.
He brought so much renown to his religious family from all those he
attracted to it, as much by the example of his holy life as by the
efficacy of his words, that when he took the religious habit, there were
only twenty monasteries and some three hundred religious belonging to his
order in all Italy, and when he died he left 250 monasteries and over 5000
religious.
Do you exercise your zeal for your neighbor in such a way that all
you do to help others sanctify themselves does not prevent you in any way
from being exact and assiduous at all the exercises of your community? Are
you convinced that God will bless your labors for your neighbor only to
the degree that you are faithful to your rules, because you will not
obtain any graces to contribute to the salvation of others except insofar
as you yourself are faithful to grace and have the true spirit of your
vocation?
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