Three Reconciliations

Tres sunt quibus reconciliari debemus; hominibus, angelis, Deo. Hominibus per aperta opera; angelis, per occulta signa; Deo per puritatem cordis. Nam de operibus quae coram hominus facienda sunt, scriptum est: Luceat lux vestra coram hominibus, ut videant vestra opera bona, et glorificent Patrem vestrum qui in coelis est. De angelis dicit David: In conspectu angelorum psallam tibi. Occulta autem signa sunt gemitus, suspira, usus cilicii, et caetera poentitentiae insignia, quae angelis placent. Unde est illud: Gaudium est angelis Dei super uno peccatore poenitentiam agente. Ut autem Deo reconciliemur, nec operibus, nec signis, sed puritate et simplicitate cordis indigemus. Scriptum est enim: Beati mundo corde quoniam ipsi Deum videbunt. Et illud: Si oculus tuss fuerit simplex, etc Sanctus Bernardus Clarae Vallensis, Sententiae Source: Migne PL 183.752a-b

There are three with whom we should be reconciled: with men, with angels with God. With men by overt works, with angels by hidden signs, with God by purity of heart. For concerning works which we should do before men, it is said: 'Let your light shine before men, that they see your works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.' 1 Concerning angels David says: 'In the sight of your angels I sing to you.' 2 For the hidden signs are groans and sighs and the use of a hairshirt, and other insignia of penitence, which please the angels. Whence it is said: 'The angels of God rejoice over one sinner who becomes penitent.' 3 And we are reconciled to God, not by works, nor by signs, but by purity and simplicity of heart. For it is written: 'Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.' 4 And: 'If your eye is clean...' etc 5 Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Sentences 1 Mt 5.16 2 Ps 137.1 3 Lk 15.10 4 Mt 5.8 5 Mt 6.22