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From a work by
Saint Baldwin of Canterbury, bishop
(d. 1190)The word of God is both living and powerful
The word of God is both living and powerful and much more piercing than a two-edged sword. The word of God is plainly shown in all its strength and wisdom to those who seek out Christ, who is the word, the power and the wisdom of God. This word was with the Father in the beginning, and in its own time was revealed to the apostles, then preached by them and humbly received in faith by believers. So, the word is in the Father, as well as on our lips and in our hearts.
This word of God is living; the Father gave it life in itself, just as he has life in himself. For this reason it not only is alive, but it is life, as he says of himself: I am the way, the truth and the life. Since he is life, he is both living and life-giving. For, as the Father raises up the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to those he chooses. He is life-giving when he calls the dead from the grave and says: Lazarus, come forth.
When this word is preached, in the very act of preaching it gives to its own voice, which is heard outwardly, a certain power which is perceived inwardly, so much so, that the dead are brought back to life and by these praises the sons of Abraham are raised from the dead. This word then is alive in the heart of the Father, on the lips of the preacher, and in the hearts of those who believe and love him. Since this word is so truly alive, undoubtedly it is full of power.
It is powerful in creation, powerful in the government of the universe, powerful in the redemption of the world. For what is more powerful, more effective? Who shall speak of its power; who shall make all its praises heard? It is powerful in what it accomplishes, powerful when preached. It does not come back empty; it bears fruit in all to whom it is sent.
It is powerful and more piercing than any two-edged sword when it is believed and loved. For what is impossible to the believer? What is difficult for a lover? When this word is spoken, its message pierces the heart like the sharp arrows of a strong man, like nails driven deep; it enters so deeply that it penetrates to the innermost recess. This word is much more piercing than any two-edged sword, inasmuch as it is stronger than any courage or power, sharper than any shrewdness of human ingenuity, keener than all human wisdom, or the subtlety of learned argument.Source: The Liturgy of the Hours - Office of Readings
Saint Baldwin was attracted to the monastic life and became a Cistercian
monk at the Abbey of Ford, in Devonshire, England. Within a year he was made abbot and in 1180 he was appointed Bishop of Worcester and then appointed Archbishop of Canterbury. In 1188, after hearing of the loss of Jerusalem to the Muslims, Baldwin was active in preaching the Third Crusade to rescue the relics in the holy land.
In 1190 he set out for the Holy Land, in company with Hubert, Bishop of Salisbury, and others, providing at his own costs two hundred knights and three hundred retainers. Baldwin is described as gentle, kindly disposed, learned and deeply spiritual. He died in 1190 during the siege of Acre, a seaport town west of Galilee, leaving all he possessed for the relief of the Holy Land. A number of his works including De Commendiatione Fide, De Sacramento Altaris and other discourse are still extant.
