Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet - Meditations for Lent

Jacques-Bnigne Bossuet

Meditations for Lent

Edited and translated by
Christopher O. Blum

SOPHIA INSTITUTE PRESS
Manchester, New Hampshire

Also by Jacques-Bnigne Bossuet
from Sophia Institute Press:

Meditations for Advent

Meditations for Lent is a selection and translation of Mditations sur lvangile , in Oeuvres choisies de Bossuet (Paris: Roger et Chernoviz, no date); lvations Dieu sur tous les mystres de la religion chrtienne , in Oeuvres compltes de Bossuet , edited by Abb Guillaume (Lyon: Briday, 1879); and Oeuvres Oratoires de Bossuet , dition critique de labb J. Lebarq, revue et augmente par Ch. Urbain et E. Levesque, 7 volumes (Paris: Descle de Brouwer, 1914-1926).

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Cover design by Carolyn McKinney

Except where otherwise noted, scriptural quotations in this book are taken from the Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1965, 1966 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Bossuet, Jacques Bnigne, 1627-1704.

[Meditations. English]

Meditations for Lent / Jacques-Benigne Bossuet ;
edited and translated by Christopher O. Blum.

pages cm

Meditations for Lent is a selection and translation of Mditations sur LEvangile, in Oeuvres choisies de Bossuet (Paris: Roger et Chernoviz, no date); lvations Dieu sur tous les mystres de la religion chrtienne, in Oeuvres compltes de Bossuet, edited by Abbe Guillaume (Lyon: Briday, 1879); and Oeuvres Oratoires de Bossuet, dition critique de lAbb J. Lebarq, rvue et augmente par Ch. Urbain et E. Levesque, 7 volumes (Paris: Descle de Brouwer, 1914-1926) E-Cip t.p. verso

ISBN 978-1-933184-99-9 (pbk. : alk. paper)
ePub ISBN 978-1-622821-75-4
1. Lent Meditations. 2. Spiritual life Catholic Church.
I. Blum, Christopher Olaf, 1969- translator. II. Title.

BV85.B64413 2014

.34 dc23

2013033857

Contents

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

Holy Week

Foreword

Lord, will those who are saved be few? (Luke 13:23). Such was the anxious question on the part of someone whose path Jesus had crossed on his way to Jerusalem, to his Passion and death. At what might have been about the same time in the Gospel story, the most important question in human history was also asked, although this time by the Lord: But who do you say that I am? (Matt. 16:15). And once that question is answered by the Prince of the Apostles You are the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matt. 16:16) and by each of us in turn, the thoughts in the mind of the sincere inquirer naturally turn to the next great subject: salvation itself.

Jesus did not answer the persons question, at least not as it was posed. Instead, he went straight to the heart of the matter by making the question personal , which, of course, it was from the beginning. Strive to enter by the narrow door, the Lord replied (Luke 13:24). We might understand him this way: You, you give your heart to me, without reserve; this is the one thing needful. Do not allow your attention or your affections to be drawn away from my words, from my Sacred Heart. I am the Good Shepherd who will never leave you. In love, I will offer my life for you on Calvary; in love, will you offer your life for me and not count the cost? This is the proof of friendship, of love: to give all. I am the door; if you enter by me, you will be saved. You say that I am Lord, the Messiah. Now give this belief flesh in your life. Follow me to Jerusalem.

Lent is the journey of the Mystical Body of Christ to Jerusalem, to the fulfillment of the Paschal Mystery. We wish to accompany Jesus and not simply allow him to cross our path. Our concern for eternal salvation must be urgent, but not anxious and troubled (Luke 10:41). We can see the confusion, the neglect, the malice of the world, just as the person who posed the question to the Lord did. Although we are aware of these things and saddened by them, they do not make us fearful or unsteady. The questioner in the Gospel saw the challenge and became fainthearted. But Jesus looked into the eyes of the person and imparted purpose and strength, peace and hope. Appealing to what was noble within, he said, in effect, Do not be afraid of what you see in a fallen world and in your own human weakness. Walk with me, and let the fire in my heart change yours.

Why look to Jacques-Bnigne Bossuet to help us on our Lenten pilgrimage to Jerusalem with the Good Shepherd? The whole of the Christian life consists in making this journey [to Heaven] well, he wrote, and it was to that end that our Lord directed all his deeds. A student of St. Vincent de Paul, Bossuet became famous as an orator in France in the seventeenth century and one who has been compared very favorably with two of the Churchs greatest preachers: St. Augustine and St. John Chrysostom, whose theological writings and sermons helped to shape Bossuets. But most importantly, Bossuets work reflects his lifelong love for and study of Sacred Scripture and his vital interior life, and as such it has been prized by holy souls such as Blessed Junpero Serra and Pope Pius XII, who kept Bossuets writing on his bedside table. Bossuet was also a favorite of the influential retreat master of the twentieth century, Fr. Edward Leen.

The meditations here are drawn from the spiritual writings of Bossuet and arranged to accord with the Gospels (and in some cases the Old Testament lessons) of the season of Lent and of the two great solemnities that fall during the Lenten season. They shed light particularly on our need for conversion and mercy and on the importance of forgiving those who trespass against us, so that we in turn might receive Gods mercy. As such, they give form to how we must strive to enter by the narrow door, just as the Master instructed us.

O Jesus! I present myself to you to make my journey in your company, Bossuet says. O my Savior, receive your traveler! Here, I am ready, holding on to nothing. I want to leave this world with you and go to the Father.

Fr. Paul Check
November 2013

Ash Wednesday

Pray to God in Secret

Go into your room (Matt. 6:6) that is, into the most private part of your home, or rather, go into the most intimate place in your heart. Recollect yourself completely. Shut the door (Matt. 6:6). Shut your senses, and let no foreign thoughts enter. Pray in secret. Open your heart to God alone. Let him be the keeper of your innermost sorrows.

Do not heap up empty phrases (Matt. 6:7). It is unnecessary to tell God your needs in lengthy speeches, for he knows all of them before you say a word. Tell him interiorly about what will profit you, and recollect yourself in God. The prayers of the pagans, who do not know God, are only a heap of senseless phrases. Say little with your lips and much in your heart. Do not multiply your thoughts, for doing so will only confuse and tire you. Bring your attention to rest upon some important truth that captures your mind and heart. Consider, weigh, and taste it; ruminate upon it; enjoy it. Truth is the bread of the soul. You do not need to swallow each morsel whole. Nor do you need always to be passing from one truth to another. Hold on to one, embracing it until it becomes a part of you. Attach your heart to it even more than your mind. Draw forth all of its juices by pressing it with your attention.

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