Today, July 15
Feast of the Day
No feast of the day
Saint of the Day
Bonaventure, known as the "Seraphic Doctor," had so great an influence in the Franciscan Order that he has been called its second founder. He was born in 1221 in Tuscany. Although baptized as Giovanni, legend has it that while still a child he was given the name Bonaventure ('Good Fortune') by St Francis of Assisi who cured him miraculously of a dangerous illness. Bonaventure joined the Friars Minor at age 20 and was sent to the University of Paris where he studied and then taught the philosophy and theology of the Franciscan school. Thomas Aquinas was his friend and colleague and they received their doctorates of theology at the same time.
In 1257, Bonaventure was chosen minister general of the Franciscan Order. Eight years later, he refused appointment to the See of York in England, but in 1273 Pope Gregory X insisted Bonaventure accept the See of Albano and made him a cardinal.
The pope, preparing an ecumenical council at Lyons designed to re-unite the Greek and Latin rites, called on Thomas and Bonaventure to assist him. Thomas Aquinas died on the way to the Council and at the end of it, Bonaventure, who had been the predominant figure at the assembly, also died. Despite his reputation for holiness, humility and virtue, and the dedication of his intellectual gifts to the service of the Church, his canonization was delayed until 1482 because of dissension within the Franciscan Order. In 1588, he was declared a Doctor of the Church. Bonaventure's writings on things Franciscan, such as his Life of St Francis, as well as on history, spirituality, and medieval mystical doctrine still inspire readers.©2011 Living with Christ, Novalis - Bayard Press Canada Inc., http://www.livingwithchrist.ca/. Reprinted with permission.
Readings of the Day
Book of Isaiah 10,5-7.13-16.
Thus says the LORD: Woe to Assyria! My rod in anger, my staff in wrath. Against an impious nation I send him, and against a people under my wrath I order him To seize plunder, carry off loot, and tread them down like the mud of the streets. But this is not what he intends, nor does he have this in mind; Rather, it is in his heart to destroy, to make an end of nations not a few. and the boastfulness of his haughty eyes. For he says: "By my own power I have done it, and by my wisdom, for I am shrewd. I have moved the boundaries of peoples, their treasures I have pillaged, and, like a giant, I have put down the enthroned. My hand has seized like a nest the riches of nations; As one takes eggs left alone, so I took in all the earth; No one fluttered a wing, or opened a mouth, or chirped!" Will the axe boast against him who hews with it? Will the saw exalt itself above him who wields it? As if a rod could sway him who lifts it, or a staff him who is not wood! Therefore the Lord, the LORD of hosts, will send among his fat ones leanness, And instead of his glory there will be kindling like the kindling of fire.
Psalms 94(93),5-6.7-8.9-10.14-15.
Your people, O LORD, they trample down, your inheritance they afflict. Widow and stranger they slay, the fatherless they murder. And they say, "The LORD sees not; the God of Jacob perceives not." Understand, you senseless ones among the people; and, you fools, when will you be wise? Shall he who shaped the ear not hear? Or he who formed the eye not see? Shall he who instructs nations not chastise, He who teaches men knowledge? For the LORD will not cast off his people, nor abandon his inheritance; but judgment shall again be with justice, and all the upright of heart shall follow it.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 11,25-27.
At that time Jesus exclaimed, "I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him."
Daily Reflection
Why then should we not believe that what is said is of God, since it is said both by little ones and to little ones? Yes, my sisters, God takes such pleasure that, we can say, it is his great pleasure to make himself known to the humble. Beautiful words from Jesus Christ, which clearly show that it is not in museums or among princes that God takes his delight! He says it in one place of Scripture: “O my Father, I praise you and thank you because you have hidden your mysteries from the great of the world and manifested them to the humble. » He has no use for pomp and exterior ornament; but he delights in a humble soul, in a soul which is instructed by him alone and pays no attention to the science of the world.