Discerning Hearts - Catholic Podcasts - St. Bernard and the 12 Steps to Humility and Pride – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast

St. Bernard and the 12 Steps to Humility and Pride – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast

08/20/24 • 30 min

St. Bernard and the 12 Steps to Humility and Pride – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles

Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor have a discussion about St. Bernard of Clairvaux. They begin by discussing St. Bernard’s deep devotion to the Virgin Mary and his belief that Mary serves as the “neck” of the Mystical Body of Christ, through whom all grace from Christ is mediated to humanity.

Dr. Lilles outlines the historical context in which St. Bernard lived (1090-1153), highlighting his role in the Crusades, monastic reform, and his influence on other saints and mystics. Bernard’s central mission was to promote ongoing conversion to Christ, seeing it as the path to renewing the Church.

They go into St. Bernard’s teachings on humility and pride, as found in his writings. Dr. Lilles explains that for Bernard, truth is not just factual or feasible but relational and rooted in a deeper reality—a truth that is discovered through contemplation and faith. He contrasts this with modern views of truth, which often focus on what is feasible or factual, leading to a superficial understanding of reality.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

Understanding Marian Devotion: How does St. Bernard of Clairvaux’s view of Mary as the “neck of the mystical body” deepen your understanding of Marian devotion and its role in leading us closer to Christ?
Personal Conversion: In what areas of your life do you feel called to deeper conversion, following St. Bernard’s emphasis on ongoing transformation to strengthen the Church?
Contemplation of Truth: Reflect on how you perceive truth—do you view it primarily as facts and feasibility, or are you open to the deeper, saving truth that St. Bernard speaks of, which comes through faith and contemplation?
Facing Pain with Humility: How can embracing humility and recognizing your own sinfulness help you to confront personal pain and suffering without transferring it onto others, as discussed in the context of marriage and family?
Pursuit of Salvation: How does acknowledging your need for salvation as a sinner change the way you approach your relationship with God and others, and how might it influence your journey toward spiritual growth?

THE TWELVE DEGREES OF HUMILITY

XII. A permanent attitude of bodily; and spiritual prostration.
XI. The speech of a monk should be short, sensible and in a subdued tone.
X. Abstinence from frequent and light laughter.
IX. Reticence, until asked for his opinion.
VIII. Observance of the general rule of the monastery.
VII. Belief in and declaration of one’s inferiority to others.
VI. Admission and acknowledgment of one’s own unworthiness and uselessness.
V. Confession of sins.
IV. Patient endurance of hardship and severity in a spirit of obedience.
III. Obedient submission to superiors.
II. Forbearance to press personal desire.
I. Constant abstinence from sin for fear of God.

THE TWELVE DEGREES OF PRIDE TAKEN DOWNWARDS

I. Curiosity, when a man allows His sight and other senses to stray after things which do not concern him.
II. An unbalanced state of mind, showing itself in talk unseasonably joyous and sad.
III. Silly merriment exhibited in too frequent laughter.
IV. Conceit expressed in much talking.
V. Eccentricity attaching exaggerated importance to one’s own conduct.
VI. Self-assertion holding oneself to be more pious than others.
VII. Presumption readiness to undertake anything.
VIII. Defense of wrong-doing.
IX. Unreal confession detected when severe penance is imposed.
X. Rebellion against the rules and the brethren.
XI. Liberty to sin.
XII. Habitual transgression.

For other episodes in the series visit the Discerning Hearts page for Dr. Anthony Lilles

Anthony Lilles, S.T.D., has served the Church and assisted in the formation of clergy and seminarians since 1994. Before coming to St. Patrick’s, he served at seminaries and houses of formation in the Archdiocese of Denver and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The son of a California farmer, married with young adult children, holds a B.A. in theology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville with both the ecclesiastical licentiate and doctorate in spiritual theology from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome (the Angelicum). An expert in the writings of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity and the Carmelite Doctors of the Church, he co-founded the Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation and the High Calling Program for priestly vocations. He also founded the John Paul II Center for Contemplative Culture, which hosts symposiums, retreats, and confe...

St. Bernard and the 12 Steps to Humility and Pride – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

Understanding Marian Devotion: How does St. Bernard of Clairvaux’s view of Mary as the “neck of the mystical body” deepen your understanding of Marian devotion and its role in leading us closer to Christ?
Personal Conversion: In what areas of your life do you feel called to deeper conversion, following St. Bernard’s emphasis on ongoing transformation to strengthen the Church?
Contemplation of Truth: Reflect on how you perceive truth—do you view it primarily as facts and feasibility, or are you open to the deeper, saving truth that St. Bernard speaks of, which comes through faith and contemplation?
Facing Pain with Humility: How can embracing humility and recognizing your own sinfulness help you to confront personal pain and suffering without transferring it onto others, as discussed in the context of marriage and family?
Pursuit of Salvation: How does acknowledging your need for salvation as a sinner change the way you approach your relationship with God and others, and how might it influence your journey toward spiritual growth?

THE TWELVE DEGREES OF HUMILITY

THE TWELVE DEGREES OF PRIDE TAKEN DOWNWARDS

For other episodes in the series visit the Discerning Hearts page for Dr. Anthony Lilles

Previous Episode

St. Augustine of Hippo Novena – Day 2 – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Day 2

St. Augustine has written:

“Though good and bad men suffer alike, we must not suppose that there is no difference between the men themselves, because there is no difference in what they both suffer. For even in the likeness of the sufferings, there remains an unlikeness in the sufferers; and though exposed to the same anguish, virtue and vice are not the same thing. For as the same fire causes gold to glow brightly, and chaff to smoke; and under the same flail the straw is beaten small, while the grain is cleansed; and as the lees are not mixed with the oil, though squeezed out of the vat by the same pressure, so the same violence of affliction proves, purges, clarifies the good, but damns, ruins, exterminates the wicked.” (from “The City of God”)

Heavenly Father,
we turn to you now with the intentions we hold in our hearts,
as pray as St. Augustine has taught:

Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
enlighten our minds to perceive the mysteries
of the universe in relation to eternity.

Spirit of right judgment and courage,
guide us and make us firm in our baptismal decision
to follow Jesus’ way of love.

Spirit of knowledge and reverence,
help us to see the lasting value of justice
and mercy in our everyday dealings with one another.

May we respect life
as we work to solve problems of family and nation,
economy and ecology.

Spirit of God,
spark our faith,
hope and love into new action each day.

Fill our lives with wonder and awe
in your presence which penetrates all creation.

Intercede for us, St. Augustine
That God may favorably hear our plea
And that He may grant us the grace
To accept His will in all things,
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
In the unity of the Holy Spirit,
One God forever and ever.

Amen.

The post St. Augustine of Hippo Novena – Day 2 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Next Episode

St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Pt. 1 – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast

St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Pt. 1 – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson

Born: 1090, Fontaine-lès-Dijon, France
Died: August 20, 1153, Clairvaux Abbey, France
Books: Two-Fold Knowledge

Dr. Matthew Bunsen and Kris McGregor discuss the life and influence of St. Bernard of Clairvaux. St. Bernard, a Doctor of the Church, is celebrated for his deep spirituality, theological brilliance, and reformative impact on monastic life. He was instrumental in building the Cistercian order and defending Church teachings. Bernard’s upbringing in a noble family provided him with a strong education and a profound devotion to Scripture and the Blessed Mother. After resisting worldly temptations, he entered the Benedictine order and helped restore the vigor of the original Rule of St. Benedict at the Abbey of Clairvaux. His leadership and dedication attracted many followers, and Clairvaux flourished under his guidance.

Bernard’s teachings, particularly on the Song of Songs, reflect his eloquent and elegant theology. Despite his desire for a contemplative life, he was frequently called upon by the Church to mediate conflicts, reform ecclesiastical practices, and support the papacy. His work, including his involvement in the Second Crusade, came at a great personal cost, but he remained committed to serving Christ and the Church.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

The Significance of Spiritual Healing: How does St. Bernard’s title as a healer and miracle worker influence your understanding of spiritual healing in your own life?
Embracing Austerity: What lessons can you learn from St. Bernard’s severe austerity and self-discipline in pursuing a life dedicated to Christ?
The Role of Scripture: How can St. Bernard’s love for Scripture, particularly the Song of Songs, deepen your own relationship with the Bible?
Responding to God’s Call: How does St. Bernard’s choice to join the Benedictine order inspire you to respond to God’s call in your life, even when it requires sacrifice?
The Power of Prayer and Work: How can you incorporate the balance of prayer and work, as emphasized by the Rule of St. Benedict, into your daily routine?
Humility in Service: What can you learn from St. Bernard’s humility and willingness to serve the Church, despite his personal preference for a contemplative life?
Enduring Faithfulness: How does St. Bernard’s lifelong dedication to serving the Church challenge you to remain faithful to your commitments, regardless of personal cost?

From Vatican.va, an excerpt from the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI General Audience 2009

“Today I would like to talk about St Bernard of Clairvaux, called “the last of the Fathers” of the Church because once again in the 12th century he renewed and brought to the fore the important theology of the Fathers. We do not know in any detail about the years of his childhood; however, we know that he was born in 1090 in Fontaines, France, into a large and fairly well-to-do family. As a very young man he devoted himself to the study of the so-called liberal arts especially grammar, rhetoric and dialectics at the school of the canons of the Church of Saint-Vorles at Châtillon-sur-Seine; and the decision to enter religious life slowly matured within him. At the age of about 20, he entered Cîteaux, a new monastic foundation that was more flexible in comparison with the ancient and venerable monasteries of the period while at the same time stricter in the practice of the evangelical counsels. A few years later, in 1115, Bernard was sent by Stephen Harding, the third Abbot of Cîteaux, to found the monastery of Clairvaux. Here the young Abbot he was only 25 years old was able to define his conception of monastic life and set about putting it into practice. In looking at the discipline of other monasteries, Bernard firmly recalled the need for a sober and measured life, at table as in clothing and monastic buildings, and recommended the support and care of the poor. In the meantime the community of Clairvaux became ever more numerous and its foundations multiplied.

In those same years before 1130 Bernard started a prolific correspondence with many people of both important and modest social status. To the many Epistolae of this period must be added numerous Sermones, as well as Sententiae and Tractatus. Bernard’s great friends...