Monday, August 5 : Saint Bruno

Dear brother, I am living in a desert place in Calabria, at some distance on all sides from human habitation. I am here with my fellow religious, some of whom are full of understanding. They keep holy and persevering watch as they wait for their Master’s return so that they may open to him as soon as he knocks (Lk 12,36)… What the silence and solitude of the desert bring of usefulness and heavenly rejoicing to those who love them, only they know who have experienced them. Strong men can recollect themselves there whenever they want to, remain in themselves, carefully cultivate the virtues and happily nourish themselves on the fruits of paradise. There we try hard to acquire the eye whose clear glance wounds the heavenly Bridegroom with love and whose purity allows us to see God. There we give ourselves to well-occupied rest and find calm in peaceful action. There God gives to his athletes in return for the labor of their combat the reward that they long for: a peace the world does not know and joy in the Holy Spirit… Indeed, what could there be more contrary to reason, justice and to nature itself than to prefer the creature to the Creator, to pursue perishable goods rather than everlasting goods, earthly things rather than heavenly things?… Truth in person gives this advice to all: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest,” (Mt 11,28). Don’t you think it is lacking in gratitude and a futile sorrow to be tormented by desires of gain, by cares and worries and fears?… Fly from these disturbances, my brother; pass from this world’s tempests to the sure and peaceful rest of the haven.
Roman Catholic Ordinary Calendar – rosary,team