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“Brethren, the tears of Christ overwhelm me with shame
and fear and sorrow. I was playing out of doors in the street, while
sentence of death was being passed upon me in the privacy of the royal
council chamber. But the King’s only Begotten Son heard of it. And
what did he do? He went forth from the palace, put off his diadem,
covered himself with sackcloth, strewed ashes on his head, bared his
feet, and wept and lamented because his poor slave was condemned to
death. I meet him unexpectedly in this sad condition. I am astonished
at the woeful change in him and inquire the cause. He tells me the
whole story. What am I to do now? Shall I continue to play and make a
mockery of his tears? Surely I am insane and devoid of reason if I do
not follow him and unite my tears with his.”
~ Bernard of Clairvaux, 12th
Century
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