Bernard of Clairvaux, Monastic and Theologian, 1153

The Collect:

Rite I:
O God, by whose grace thy servant Bernard of Clairvaux, kindled with the flame of thy love, became a burning and a shining light in thy Church: Grant that we also may be aflame with the spirit of love and discipline and walk before thee as children of light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Rite II:
O God, by whose grace your servant Bernard of Clairvaux, kindled with the flame of your love, became a burning and a shining light in your Church: Grant that we also may be aflame with the spirit of love and discipline and walk before you as children of light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

First Lesson: Song of Songs 1:1–8

¹The Song of Songs, which is Solomon’s. 

² Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth!
For your love is better than wine, 
³   your anointing oils are fragrant,
your name is perfume poured out;
   therefore the maidens love you. 
⁴ Draw me after you, let us make haste.
   The king has brought me into his chambers.
We will exult and rejoice in you;
   we will extol your love more than wine;
   rightly do they love you. 

⁵ I am black and beautiful,
   O daughters of Jerusalem,
like the tents of Kedar,
   like the curtains of Solomon. 
⁶ Do not gaze at me because I am dark,
   because the sun has gazed on me.
My mother’s sons were angry with me;
   they made me keeper of the vineyards,
   but my own vineyard I have not kept! 
⁷ Tell me, you whom my soul loves,
   where you pasture your flock,
   where you make it lie down at noon;
for why should I be like one who is veiled
   beside the flocks of your companions? 

⁸ If you do not know,
   O fairest among women,
follow the tracks of the flock,
   and pasture your kids
   beside the shepherds’ tents.

Psalm: Psalm 139:1–9

¹ Lord, you have searched me out and known me; *
       you know my sitting down and my rising up;
       you discern my thoughts from afar.
² You trace my journeys and my resting-places *
       and are acquainted with all my ways.
³ Indeed, there is not a word on my lips, *
       but you, O Lord, know it altogether.
⁴ You press upon me behind and before *
       and lay your hand upon me.
⁵ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; *
       it is so high that I cannot attain to it.
⁶ Where can I go then from your Spirit? *
       where can I flee from your presence?
⁷ If I climb up to heaven, you are there; *
       if I make the grave my bed, you are there also.
⁸ If I take the wings of the morning *
       and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
⁹ Even there your hand will lead me *
       and your right hand hold me fast.

Gospel: John 15:7-11

⁷If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. ⁹As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. ¹⁰If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. ¹¹I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.

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