The Apology By Bernard Of Clairvaux - 1143 Words

Luxury played an immense role in medieval Catholicism by taking the focus from God and placing it on the acquisition of riches and glory, which is shown by these sources: The Apology by Bernard of Clairvaux, The Book of Suger by The Abbot Suger and Guilty Pleasures: Luxury in the Middle Ages. These sources demonstrate the exorbitant manner that the churches and monasteries were being built in during that time. This not only drew attention away from the real reason for these buildings, but also was a form of idolatry for these monks, despite the honest intentions of some of them, including the Abbot Suger. Each source lends different insight into the corruption of the church during this medieval period. Apology by Bernard of Clairvaux†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"In short, so many and so marvelous are the various shapes surrounding us that it is more pleasant to read the marble tanthe books, and to spend the whole day marveling over these things rather than meditating on the law of God†1 Bernard realized that despite their best efforts, the monks of Cluny could not help but be distracted from God by the riches. Therefore, he tries to bring this to attention in his writing. Another criticism that Bernard brings up in his writing is the integration of the Cluniac monks into society. He mentions that the Cluniac monks are using luxury for the acquisition of more riches, as well as for the attraction of more wealthy benefactors. He asks the Cluniac monks what they are expecting to receive for their efforts, â€Å"Admiration from the foolish? Offering from the ignorant? Or scattered as we are among the gentiles, are we learning their tricks and serving their idols?â⠂¬ 1 Bernard brings up a good point, which is that the Cluniac monks are becoming too worldly. They are becoming too focused on the contributions that they will receive from the world, in order to decorate their churches and monasteries. They are forgetting that they became monks to leave the world behind. The Abbot of Suger has a very contradictory view towards the luxury, which he expounds upon in The Book of Suger. He states the reasoning for the beginning of the luxury that was lavished upon the buildings. In the twenty-third year of