Wednesday, August 23, 2006

The Pope says "Don't Overwork"

Papal advice on overwork
43 Folders points to the article by The Herald about over work:
Holidaying Pope criticises overwork - The Herald

Words of wisdom from the vacationing Pope:

During his traditional weekly appearance to bless the faithful, Benedict XVI quoted from writings of St Bernard in the 12th century meant for popes of his time on the subject of overwork.
The saint advised pontiffs to “watch out for the dangers of an excessive activity, whatever… the job that you hold, because many jobs often lead to the ‘hardening of the heart’, as well as ’suffering of the spirit, loss of intelligence’,” Benedict said, quoting St Bernard. "That warning is valid for every kind of work, even those involved in the governing of the church," said Benedict, 79.

Thank you Mr. Pope, Benedict XVI and Thank you St. Bernard, Doctor of the Church. I don't want hardening of the heart, nor suffering of the spirit, nor loss of intelligence.

He wrote On Loving God, which you can read online. He wrote some other treatises and sermons as well. He also said this: "Love is sufficient of itself; it gives pleasure by itself and because of itself. It is its own merit, its own reward. Love looks for no cause outside itself, no effect beyond itself. Its profit lies in the practice. Of all the movements, sensations and feelings of the soul, love is the only one in which the creature can respond to the Creator and make some sort of similar return however unequal though it be. For when God loves, all he desires is to be loved in return. The sole purpose of his love is to be loved, int he knowledge that those who love him are made happy by their love of him." - from a sermon by Saint Bernard found at Patron Saint Index

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