St. Bernadette's heroic virtue.

'Do not receive gifts that blind even the prudent.' [Ex. 23:8]
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Last evening I was reading about St. Bernadette.  I have Rene Laurentin's book, Bernadette Speaks.  It is very good.  I began reading some of the interrogation the saint endured - she went through this all of her life - although near the time of the apparitions, the interviews were especially intrusive.  What strikes me about Bernadette was her absolute honesty and candor, and the integrity where with she so intelligently deflected imprudent questions, even those posed to her by priests and bishops, some of whom were more than annoying, and somewhat nonchalant about tarnishing the reputation of a young girl.
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One aspect of Bernadette's veracity and character I find most impressive was her adamant refusal to accept gifts or money.  She loved her poverty, to be sure, but more deeply, she had an innate sense of how gifts and money can corrupt and perhaps even discredit one's mission or purpose.  The saint had no love for money or honors, which perhaps explains why her intellect remained so sharp, and her judgement so keen.
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The harm.
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Bernadette's abhorrence of donations and gifts seems to me early evidence of her heroic virtue.  Once again I refer to John of the Cross speaking of the harm caused from joy in temporal goods - here he addresses himself to the subject of gifts:
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"If a man gives way to concupiscence or joy about temporal goods, his sanctity and keen interest will be insufficient to prevent this injury.  (Blunting of the mind in relation to God, darkening of God's goods, etc.)  God therefore warned us through Moses:  'Do not receive gifts that blind even the prudent.' [Ex. 23:8]  This admonition was directed toward those who were to be judges, since their judgement must be clear and alert, which would not be the case if they were to covet and rejoice in gifts.
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Similarly God commanded Moses to appoint as judges those who abhorred avarice, that their judgement would not be blunted by gratification of the passions.  He speaks not merely of a lack of desire but of the abhorrence of avarice. (...)
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'They all love gifts and allow themselves to be carried away by retributions, and they do not judge the orphan, and the widow's cause does not  come to them and their attention.'  [Is. 1:23]" - Ascent Bk III, Ch. 19: 4,6
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That last verse from Isaiah is fulfilled these days not only by a few religious leaders, but our representatives in government as well.  No wonder no one is able to judge rightly any longer.
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Photo: St. Bernadette, Biography Online