July 15 2020 - St. Bonaventure - To know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge

Knowledge is a wonderful thing. We are born into this world knowing nothing but our instincts. We know enough to cry when we are hungry, or uncomfortable, or lonely. And there is a joy, when a child begins to learn—how to walk, how to talk. I remember visiting the library as a very young child, but not knowing how to read, the books there were basically useless. But the joy of learning how to read gave me access to the contents of those countless books. Even children who have a rough time with formal education find a joy in grasping new concepts and facts in school.

And of course knowledge helps us to make our way in the world: we learn how to take care of ourselves, how to cook, clean, use money, it enables us to pursue really good things, and can help us alleviate the sufferings of others.

On these feast of the Franciscan Saint Bonaventure, great doctor of the Church, learned in the ways of God, who teaches us so much about God, we have a reading from St. paul’s letter to the ephesians, in which the Apostle speaks of the most important knowledge of all.

Of all the things that we will ever learn or ever know, there is one thing that rises in importance above every other thing: it is the knowledge of Christ and His love.

St. Paul prays that Christians “may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Knowledge of the love of Christ fills us with the fullness of God.

The knowledge of an object or of a science is one thing, but knowledge of a person, the knowledge family members have of each other, the knowledge spouses have of each other. This brings great fulfillment. But higher still is knowledge of the love of Christ. Because it brings us a fulfillment that nothing else in the world can provide.

Knowledge of Christ’s love does not come simply through reading books. It comes experientially, spending time in his presence through prayer, following his example of charity and obedience to the will of the Father, and following in his footsteps by taking up our crosses. It comes sacramentally, for through the Sacraments we encounter Him, his mercy, his love, his strength. The Lord longs to share the knowledge of his love with us, but we must humble ourselves, and seek to love him more than our sins, more than the world, more than our very lives.

Having encountered this love, we seek to bring others who are outside of this knowledge, outside of this experience, into the Church, into relationship with God through Christ, that they may know it, too. For those outside of the Church are deprived of that which makes life worth living.

Bonaventure said, "If you learn everything except Christ, you learn nothing. If you learn nothing except Christ, you learn everything."

May we know the constant assistance of St. Bonaventure and the heavenly court in obtaining and sharing this surpassing knowledge which fills us with the fullness of God for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That all Christians may have a burning love for the Crucified-and-Risen Lord, and that love may be seen in the priorities of their life.

That the work and ministry of all Franciscan organizations and charitable institutions may bear fruit for the spread of the Gospel.

For the purification of our minds and hearts from the errors of the culture and from the lure of worldly attachments.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, immigrants and refugees, victims of natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord