While on a breakpoint, a daily look at an ever-changing culture through the lens of unchanging

truth, for the Colson Center on John Stone Street.

Among the many hymns with deep roots in the history of the church, O sacred head now

wounded is based on a 900-year-old poem that was written by theologian and mystic Bernard

of Clairville.

Bernard was a towering figure in the political, intellectual, and religious life of 12-century

Europe.

In 1113, Bernard became a member of a new religious order known as the Sustertians.

The group followed a strict monastic life of prayer, labor, and austerity.

Two years later, Bernard was sent by the order to found a new monastery, which he named

Clairville.

He quickly became one of the leading reformers in the Church of that day.

He participated in church councils, worked to heal schisms over who was the legitimate

Pope, helped to found and promote the Knights Templar, preached the second crusade, even

convinced King Louis VII of France and Holy Roman Emperor Conrad III to join the expedition.

He was also involved in intellectual and theological debates, most notably opposing

some of the teachings of Peter Abelard.

Bernard's greatest contributions, however, were in the realm of spirituality.

While earlier spirituality in Western Europe tended to emphasize Christ's divinity,

primarily portraying him as a victorious warrior over the powers of hell, Bernard also

brought in a focus on divine love, particularly demonstrated in incarnation, and revealed

in Christ's suffering.

...