Pope Leo XIV Listens at the Lent Retreat to Bishop Varden who says Resist the "arrows of the Father of Lies"

Bishop Erik Varden’s Reflection for the Vatican Lenten Exercises

Addressing Pope Leo XIV and the Roman Curia, Bishop Erik Varden, OCSO, delivered a poignant reflection on “The Splendour of Truth,” drawing heavily from the wisdom of St. Bernard of Clairvaux to navigate the pitfalls of spiritual leadership.

The Utility of Temptation

Bishop Varden began by quoting St. Bernard’s warning: no one is exempt from temptation. Rather than seeing these trials as mere obstacles, Varden framed them as necessary exercises. By resisting the "arrows of the Father of Lies," the faithful strengthen their commitment to the truth, transforming personal endurance into a source of strength for the wider community.

The Madness of Ambition

A significant portion of the reflection focused on ambition, which Varden characterized as a "subtle virus" and a "sublimated form of cupidity."

  • The Nature of Ambition: It is an alienation of the mind—a form of insanity that occurs when the Truth is forgotten.

  • The Clerical Trope: Varden noted that the ambitious clergyman is often a figure of ridicule in art and literature (citing Jane Austen and the film Ridicule) because ambition is fundamentally incompatible with a life of selfless service.

Answering the Modern Cry for Truth

In a world characterized by confusion and haste, the question "What is truth?" remains urgent. Varden argued that the Church cannot afford to waste energy on "silly temptations" like vainglory. Instead, it must focus on:

  • Christ-Centered Vision: Viewing the world through the light of Christ, who is Truth personified.

  • Authentic Language: Avoiding the trap of chasing worldly fashions. Varden suggested that by mastering her own language—Scripture, liturgy, and the wisdom of the Saints—the Church remains "original and fresh" rather than merely "last-season."

The Call to Holiness as Living Truth

The reflection concluded with an emphasis on the existential dimension of faith. Quoting Cardinal Schuster, Varden reminded the Curia that while preaching may falter, holiness remains undeniable.

"The Christian claim to truth becomes compelling when its splendour is made personally evident with sacrificial love."

He framed the universal call to holiness—the central theme of the Second Vatican Council—as the ultimate way to embody truth. It is only through sanctity, stripped of the desire to compromise with the spirit of the age, that the Church can truly orient culture.

Source: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2026-02/lenten-retreat-bishop-varden-reflects-on.html

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