You know my dear brothers, after listening to Br. Ericson’s sharing this morning about St. Bonaventure, I don’t know if I can add anything to his beautiful reflection/presentation about this great saint and theologian. I think his reflection is enough to guide us in this celebration.
My dear brothers, if there is one thing that our celebration and the readings today teach us, it is all about wisdom, how wisdom leads us, makes us, as Capuchins, to become salt of the earth and light of the world as our gospel says. It does not only refer to intelligence because all of us have our own innate talents in different aspects and approaches. But the question for us is how do we use it? Where do we use it? Our knowledge must bring us to a good relationship with God, because otherwise, we will become selfish, arrogant, manipulative. But if our intelligence brings us into our relationship with God, it becomes wisdom. And that’s what our readings are showing us today, the kind of wisdom that makes our thoughts like God’s. That’s what St. Bonaventure is showing and teaching us now.
Bonaventure’s devotion for wisdom is clearly expressed in his love for learning and prayer. They cannot be separated. For Bonaventure, the desire to study begins with the desire to love God in prayer – which is our relationship with God. To enter into a relationship with God. To enter into the love of study is to touch the presence of God in the sacramentality of wisdom revealed to us. Bonaventure’s kinship and friendship with wisdom directed him to no other than Christ himself who is Wisdom incarnate.
As we celebrate the 750 years of his death, we are celebrating most of all the spirit of prayer and devotion that should permeate all our pursuit for knowledge and understanding. To study with veneration and love is a path to God. St. Bonaventure teaches us that the surest way to God is when we strive to know Him because above all, we must have a burning desire to love God. In our service to our brothers, to our province, and to the people that God gives us, is the zeal of our love for God? Or only for the people we serve? Or in serving whom do we become closer to? In serving the world, as Capuchins, have we learned to bring those we serve closer to God? Or perhaps we are bringing them closer to ourselves? Do we bring God, do we share God with the people whom we serve?
What did Bonaventure do with the knowledge and wisdom of God? He generously shared it with others so that others too may be led to a deeper love of God. He did not hide it away, but set it on the hilltop for all to see and for all to receive light so that everyone can benefit from such grace. That is why even after 750 years, his rich intellectual tradition and holiness of life continues to be handed down to us, guiding Franciscan theologians and new generations of Christian thinkers in a discipline of love and devotion.
My dear brothers, St. Bonaventure teaches us today that the intellect/knowledge we have should not only stay in our minds, it should come down to our hearts, the heart that prays, the heart that is ready to serve so that we will learn the will of God in our lives individually and as a fraternity. Though this program or activity is intended for the brothers in initial and scholastic formation, we should not forget that even those who have finished already the academics or ecclesiastical studies we have still a lot to learn. Learning is a lifelong process, learning never ends.
My dear brothers, wisdom is a precious gift. We are all called to receive this gift from the hands of God. May we open our hearts fully to this wonderful gift. We celebrate the generosity of God to St. Bonaventure and to our Order. The great doctors of the Church are signs of God’s fidelity in outpouring the spirit of wisdom in the hearts of all who sincerely seek Him with all their lives. Let us also seek God’s wisdom so that He may fill us as He filled St. Bonaventure. Let us beg for God’s wisdom so that we become salt of the earth and light of the world and we can better serve Him and the Church today and for the future time to come. Amen.
