Episode 2431: Rest in Love - Morning Episode

Welcome to today's podcast, where we delve into the wisdom of St. Bernard of Clairvaux and the transformative power of God's Word. In a world where we often find ourselves restless and longing for peace, how do we truly find rest? Where do we encounter the peace that surpasses all understanding? Today, we'll explore these questions through the lens of our Catholic faith, drawing inspiration from Scripture and the teachings of the saints. Join me as we reflect on how love becomes both our resting place and the foundation of our peace in Christ.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux, a great Doctor of the Church, offers us profound insight into the nature of love and rest. He says, "We find rest in those we love, and we provide a resting place for those who love us." This simple yet profound statement captures the essence of Christian love and community. True rest is not found in isolation or worldly distractions, but in relationships grounded in love both with God and with one another.
Love, in its purest form, is a reflection of God's love for us. It is in this divine love that we find our ultimate rest. As St. Augustine famously said, "Our hearts are restless until they rest in You." Love, then, is not merely an emotion or an attachment; it is the very means by which we enter into communion with God. It is in Him that we find our deepest rest.
St. Bernard takes this reflection even further in another of his writings, where he contemplates the mystery of the Incarnation. He says:
"And so the idea of peace came down to do the work of peace: The Word was made flesh and even now dwells among us. It is by faith that he dwells in our hearts, in our memory, our intellect, and penetrates even into our imagination."
This peace that St. Bernard speaks of is not a fleeting feeling or a temporary state of calm. It is the very person of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, who comes to dwell among us and within us. By taking on human nature, Christ becomes our peace, offering us a resting place in
His Sacred Heart. As St. Bernard continues:
"By nature incomprehensible and inaccessible, he was invisible and unthinkable, but now he wished to be understood, to be seen and thought of."
The Incarnation reveals to us a God who desires to be close to us, to be known and loved by us. This is where we find our true rest—in the God who took on flesh and dwelt among us, in the God who became one of us so that we might find peace in Him.
This peace is not something abstract; it is a living reality that penetrates our hearts and minds through the power of God's Word. The author of Hebrews reminds us of the transformative power of God's Word:
"Indeed, the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart. No creature is concealed from him, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account." (Hebrews 4:12-13)
God's Word, living and active, pierces through the noise and distractions of our lives, revealing to us the truth of who we are and who God is. It is in this encounter with God's Word that we find rest, for it calls us to repentance, healing, and deeper communion with Him.

Yet, this rest is not something we keep for ourselves. As St. Bernard reminds us, "We provide a resting place for those who love us." Just as we find rest in God and in the love of others, we are called to be a source of rest and peace for those around us. This is the call of Christian charity: to love others as Christ has loved us, to be a refuge for those who are weary, to offer peace to those who are troubled.
In this way, love becomes the foundation of our peace. It is in loving and being loved that we find rest, for love is the very essence of God's nature. As 1 John 4:16 tells us, "God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God in him." When we live in this love, we create a space where others can find rest, just as we have found rest in Christ.
Conclusion
As we conclude today's episode, let us remember that true rest is found in love—love for God and love for one another. In a world that often leaves us feeling restless and weary, let us turn to the peace that Christ offers us through His Incarnation and His Word. Let us find rest in Him, and let us become a source of rest and peace for those around us.

Thank you for joining us today. May you find peace in the love of Christ, and may that peace overflow into your relationships with others. God bless you.
Final Prayer
Lord Jesus, You are our peace and our rest. We thank You for the gift of Your love, which sustains us and gives us strength. Help us to love You with all our hearts and to find rest in Your Sacred Heart. Teach us to be a source of peace and rest for those around us, so that Your love may be made manifest in our lives. We ask this through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Bernard of Clairvaux. Amen.