On Loving God (Cistercian Fathers Series)

Rating:
Summary: Stiegman on Bernard of Clairvaux
Review: I just finished reading the richly rewarding "On Loving God by Bernard of Clairvaux, Emero Stiegman." It was serendipitious for me, as I was only looking for the author [an old lost friend and my daughter's godfather] on the internet. When I found out he wrote this book, I just had to read it.

It was not easy. Only 42 pages of Bernard's text and another 108 pages of commentary, [plus notes, bibliography and index] make up this slim volume. But don't be fooled: what it lacks in size is more than balanced by its density. It took a long time to read, even though Emero's style is gentle and fluid. But each sentence is packed with solid meat, and one needs time to digest. My conclusion is that Bernard is a genius whom I never really appreciated until I met him again through Emero's eyes and heart. Emero is also a genius for being able to digest and interpret Bernard so lucidly and lovingly.

Emero's conclusion to his commentary reveals much about the two men: In speaking about Bernard's treatise on loving God, he says: "In the strength of its fidelity to the most elemental truths of consciousness this interpretation of the data of experience is justly prized by the phiolospher, who is satisfied in the unity of its vision, and by the theologian, who discovers in it, not applications of doctrine but a source of doctrinal clarification. The philosopher and theologian in everyone who reads Saint Bernard has succumbed to him, What wins attention is not so much his personality - though history agrees he was a charmer - or his style - though his craft was finely honed - but a powerful simplicity in his perception of the human struggle. Breaking though the successive barriers left by cultural evolution to reappropriate this vision is a richly rewarding task. What the man or woman of the spirit, or the student of spirituality finds in it is the reassurance and guidance of a clear witness to God's presence in human life." To which I can only add a resounding "AMEN"

Rating:
Summary: Stiegman on Bernard of Clairvaux
Review: I just finished reading the richly rewarding "On Loving God by Bernard of Clairvaux, Emero Stiegman." It was serendipitious for me, as I was only looking for the author [an old lost friend and my daughter's godfather] on the internet. When I found out he wrote this book, I just had to read it.

It was not easy. Only 42 pages of Bernard's text and another 108 pages of commentary, [plus notes, bibliography and index] make up this slim volume. But don't be fooled: what it lacks in size is more than balanced by its density. It took a long time to read, even though Emero's style is gentle and fluid. But each sentence is packed with solid meat, and one needs time to digest. My conclusion is that Bernard is a genius whom I never really appreciated until I met him again through Emero's eyes and heart. Emero is also a genius for being able to digest and interpret Bernard so lucidly and lovingly.

Emero's conclusion to his commentary reveals much about the two men: In speaking about Bernard's treatise on loving God, he says: "In the strength of its fidelity to the most elemental truths of consciousness this interpretation of the data of experience is justly prized by the phiolospher, who is satisfied in the unity of its vision, and by the theologian, who discovers in it, not applications of doctrine but a source of doctrinal clarification. The philosopher and theologian in everyone who reads Saint Bernard has succumbed to him, What wins attention is not so much his personality - though history agrees he was a charmer - or his style - though his craft was finely honed - but a powerful simplicity in his perception of the human struggle. Breaking though the successive barriers left by cultural evolution to reappropriate this vision is a richly rewarding task. What the man or woman of the spirit, or the student of spirituality finds in it is the reassurance and guidance of a clear witness to God's presence in human life." To which I can only add a resounding "AMEN"

Rating:
Summary: Is loving God truly this complicated?
Review: This is not one of St. Bernard's better writings. Actually, his words only account for ~40 pages of text. The remainder is analysis by Steigman.

St. Bernard's basic message is that one of detachment in order to love God perfectly. As the work progresses, it describes the joy of the soul and body after resurrection. I must admit, the latter part confused me a bit with its complicated phrasing.

The work of holy monk of Clairvaux is not the main problem, however. I started to read Steigman's analysis and all devotion dried up. How technical, how above the average reader (me), how stilted. I had no idea what the Latin terms used signified and gave up VERY QUICKLY. To be fair, perhaps too quickly. Another few dollars wasted. As Thomas a Kempis said, 'On the day of our judgment, we will not be asked what tomes we have read but rather how devoutly we have lived.' Read rather a good biography. Loving God is not complicated; it is only difficult because of our wounded nature. Read the lives of those who have gone before us and conquered self love. This book is probably wonderful for Priests and religious. To the average man, well,...