Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial of Saint
Bonaventure, B.D., (15th July, 2020) on the Gospel and the Memorial
Is 10:5-7.13-16;
Ps 93:5-10.14-15. (R. v. 14);
Matt 11:25-27.
Saint Bonaventure, known as ‘the seraphic doctor’ was
born at Bagnorea in Tuscany, in 1221. At twenty-two he entered the Franciscan
Order. He was chosen General of his Order at the age of thirty-five and
restored a perfect calm where peace had been disturbed by internal dissensions.
Saint Bonaventure composed The Life of Saint Francis, and also assisted at the
translation of the relics of Saint Anthony of Padua. Pope Gregory X made him a
Cardinal and Bishop of Albano. He died at the Second Council of Lyons on 15th
July, 1274.[1]
Saint Bonaventure was canonised on 14th April, 1482 by Pope Sixtus
IV and declared a Doctor of the Church in the year 1588 by Pope Sixtus V.[2]
Topic: Give thanks to God.
Jesus addressed the Father in today’s gospel, “I thank you
Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the
wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for
such was your gracious will.” I asked myself, ‘When did you last sincerely thank
God?’
It might be very difficult for some remembering the last time
they thanked God. However, we are ever ready with seemingly endless list of petitions.
Meanwhile, Saint Paul rightly exhorts us, “give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1Thess 5:18).
No matter your condition, always thank God for His steadfast
love which endures forever, cf. Ps
107:1. 118:1,29. 136:1,2,3,26. Postpone no further. God expects our thanks,
cf. Lk 17:18-19. Let us therefore enter
His gates not always with endless petitions but more often with thanksgiving
and praise, because it is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to the
name of the Most High God, cf. Ps 54:6. 92:1.
100:4.
It is not optional. Every God’s creature must thank Him and
all His saints must bless Him, cf. Ps
145:10. If God is your father and your master, He expects your thanks, cf. Mal 1:6. Give thanks to God in the
congregation with your whole heart and tell of all His wonderful deeds, cf. Ps 9:1. 111:1. Sincere thanks to God is
a way of expressing one’s faith. It is good to give thanks to God forever, cf. Ps 30:12. 44:8. 54:6.
Bible Reading: Lk 17:11-19; Ps 118; 136.
Thought for today: Always give thanks to God with your whole heart.
Let us pray: May the good Lord assist us to give worthy
thanks to Him – Amen.
You are free to share this reflection with
others if you consider it worthy.
For more
homilies (reflections):
Join our WhatsApp Group via: +234 810 298 6313
Tel: +234 813 305 0302
May
God bless you all+
Post a Comment
Post a Comment