I know I started the postings on St. Augustine, which will continue on Friday, but today I was reading in the sermon of St. Bernard of Clairvaux, On Detraction.
I am only going to refer to two ideas, both repetitions on this blog.
Bernard states plainly that without orthodoxy, our good works remain worthless.
Faith, and that means the True Faith, which is found in the Teaching Magisterium of the Church, forms
the basis of all good works.
Bernard goes so far as to say that only those who are orthodox can work in the Lord.
So many people start projects which flag and die. So many people begin ministries which are not exactly in God's Will but merely reflect that person's need for activity.
Bernard is clear. Orthodoxy and good works are both necessary for salvation, but orthodoxy must come first.
He also noted that if one suffers for one's own sins, that is not the same as suffering for Christ, with Christ and in Christ. Only when we are purged of sin can we suffer for Christ's sake.
Ponder these simple but true statements.
Tomorrow, back to Augustine of Hippo.