Friday, July 15, 2011
Feast of St. Bonaventure
Fr. Jason Welle, O.F.M.
Gospel: Matt. 5:13-19 He who does and teaches these things will be called great.
Homily summary: St. Francis and his followers were not learned. St. Bonaventure, however, was on the faculty of the University of Paris. The other friars looked on him with curiosity.
Jesus knew the law. Bonaventure devoted his life to teaching and following the law. Before his death, St. Francis went to Mt. Alverno, in Italy, and prayed that he would experience the great love of the passion of Christ on the cross. He then experienced the stigmata, the wounds in Christ’s hands and feet.
Bonaventure also went to Mt. Alverno and asked, how did St. Francis grow so close to Jesus? We must strive more and more, in imitation of Jesus, who laid down his life in sacrifice. Bonaventure said that no one enters into the Sabbath rest — the heavenly Jerusalem — unless he passes through the wounds of Christ.