Bernard of Clairvaux

In his own words on 2 Samuel

• 2 Samuel 18:33

  And let no one trouble me, saying that I ought not to be so affected; since the kindly Samuel over a reprobate king (1 Sam. 16:1), and the pious David over a parricide son, satisfied their affection, and not to the injury of faith, not in reproach of the judgment on high. Absalom my son, Absalom my son, said the holy David (2 Sam. 18:33): and behold, more than Absalom is here. The Savior also, seeing the city of Jerusalem, and foreseeing its ruin, wept over it (Lk. 19:41). And shall I not feel my own present desolation? Shall I not grieve over my fresh and grievous wound? He wept in compassion, and shall I not dare to weep in suffering? And surely at the tomb of Lazarus he neither rebuked those who wept, nor forbade weeping; moreover he wept with those who wept: And Jesus wept, it says (Jn. 11:35). Those tears were witnesses indeed of nature, not signs of distrust. Finally, the dead man also came forth soon at the voice of him who wept, lest you should think at once that the feeling of one who grieves is a prejudice against faith.

  Sermons on the Song of Songs, Sermon 26