+ Today we recall the life and holiness of the great Franciscan Theologian and Doctor of the Church: St. Bonaventure of Tuscany, Italy; Bonaventure being his religious name given him when he entered the Order of Friars Minor, the Franciscans, in 1243 at the age of 22. It is said that Bonaventure was healed from a childhood disease through the prayers of St. Francis of Assisi. After joining the order, Bonaventure studied theology and philosophy in Paris, where he became a friend of St. Thomas Aquinas, and King St. Louis IX of France. He became General of the Franciscan Order at age 35, then Bishop of Albano, Italy and then Cardinal. He spoke at the Council of Lyons, which sought ways to heal the division between the Eastern and Western factions of the Church. He was a writer on theological themes, a biographer of St. Francis, and declared a Doctor of the Church in 1588. He is known as the "Seraphic" or "Devout" Doctor.
In his writings, Bonaventure emphasized not the acquisition of knowledge of facts as a way to get to know God, but rather seeking to experience him and know him through love! He also is the one who described the spiritual life as a process that begins with "purification" (a turning away from sin), moves on to "illumination" (based on imitation of Christ and experiencing the 'splendor of truth') and finally leads to "union" with God (the sweetness of love).
Our readings today speak of the spirit of St. Bonaventure's life and works: the first reading reminds us that God is our Father, and that our goal is to unite with him in the Spirit that he gives us for that very purpose, so that we can imitate Jesus fully and thus host the fullness of God within our very selves. The gospel passage situates us as humble children of a loving Father. When we have this perspective – we know who is in charge and where our responsibilities lie and the measure of authority that we possess in carrying out our God-given duties. St. Bonaventure, pray for us to keep things straight!
No comments:
Post a Comment