Love is its own reward.

"The Bridegroom [God] comes to you IN your desire. His desire gives rise to yours. For he first loved us, not we him . . . Therefore, love is its own merit and its own reward. Love needs no cause, no fruit besides itself; its enjoyment is its practice. I love because I love; I love that I may love. Love is a great thing; as long as it returns to its beginning in God, goes back to its origin, turns again to its Source, it will always draw afresh from it and flow freely. When God loves, he wants nothing but to BE love, knowing that those who love him are blessed by their very love. Love is the very BEING of the Bride [the soul]."

St. Bernard of Clairvaux,
12th century French Cistercian monk

Today in class we are studying the mystics of the 12th century, including the Cistercian monks. They wrote and practiced during the era of Courtly Love, when people realized that desire itself - even without erotic consummation - IS its own reward. The monks applied this realization to God, understanding that our desire for God IS God's desire for us. How apropos for Valentine's Day!

Photos: Ladybug and Spring-beauty flowers, Lory State Park, CO, February 11th and 12th, 2015

We know the Word is present within us when our heart glows with warmth.

"Now bear with my foolishness for a little.  I want to tell you of my own experience . . I admit that the Word [of insight] has come to me, . . . and has come many times.  But although he has come to me, I have never been conscious of the moment of his coming . . . You ask me then how I know he is present . . . It is not by any movement of his that I recognize his coming; it is not by any of my senses that I perceive he has flooded  the depths of my being.  Only by the warmth of my heart do I perceive his presence . . . My heart grows warm within me, and I know he is there."

St. Bernard of Clairvaux, 
12th century Cistercian monk

Photo: A 500 year-old Douglas-fir glows in reflected orange light, Bryce Canyon National Park, UT; August 31, 2012

Love is Its Own Reward

 

"Love is enough on its own; it pleases by itself and on its own account.  Love is its own merit and its own reward.  Love needs no cause, no fruit besides itself; its enjoyment is its use.  I love because I love; I love that I may love.  Love is a great thing; as long as it returns to its Beginning, goes back to its Origin, turns again to its Source, it will always draw afresh from It and flow freely."

Bernard of Clairvaux

"The payment for love is nothing else - neither can the soul desire anything else - than more love."

John of the Cross

Photo: Rosy Paintbrush bloom aglow in last light, Twin Crater Lakes, Rawah Wilderness, CO, September 9, 2011