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| St. Bernardine and St. John Capistrano by Alanso Cano |
He always spoke with a great awareness of the needs of men and women in the world. His sermons refer to real problems, real stresses of married and family life. For example, he did not think that merchants should stay too long away from their wives, so as not to all into sin. He also condemned soundly sodomy as one of the worst sins. His words could not be stronger.
A second point is that St. Bernardine calls all people to holiness. No one is exempt. But, the way is simple:
Know that the devil hath taught the opposite of this
to the malice of men, to bring them into danger and also
those who listen to them. Have faith therefore in that which
thou seest made so clear by reason. Who dost thou believe
is more powerful, God or the angels? God. Who is more
powerful, the angels or the soul ? The angels. Which has
more power, the 'soul or the constellations ? The soul.
Which has more power, the constellations or the human
body? The body. Which has more power, the reason or the
senses? The reason. Which has more, Holy Church and
her Doctors or thine own opinion? Holy Church. Attach
thyself then to that which Holy Church teaches and believes
and holds, and forsake that which in thine own opinion
thou hast held true; for free will was given to man, and
hath never been taken from him, and never will be while
he shall exist in mortal flesh.
