The prophet Isaiah 52:7 says:
We can imagine Jesus, plodding along around Nazareth and the neighboring towns in his sandals, with his suntanned and calloused feet, and bringing the good news of God’s Kingdom. When we read of the saint and Doctor of the Church St. Bonaventure, whose memorial we celebrate today, we see that he followed ardently in Jesus’ footsteps with that same wonderful proclamation.
St. Bonaventure became a Franciscan in his early twenties. Keeping Jesus as his center, he was a gifted, influential, prolific writer and philosopher who preached the good news of God’s reign. He left his footprint by writing—among many other works—a life of St Francis. It has been noted that despite all his accomplishments, he was a humble man who did not want to be coerced into accepting the position of archbishop of York for which he was nominated by Pope Clement V. A passage from the gospel reading for today’s memorial mass (Matthew 23:12) seems relevant to St. Bonaventure’s choice:
We are reminded of humility again when we think of John the Baptist remarking that he was not worthy to untie the thong of Jesus’ sandals (Mark 1:7). And how about Jesus at the Last Supper teaching about humble service to each other as he washed the feet of his apostles? (John 13:1-11)
And the weary feet of Jesus were bathed with tears and dried with the hair of the penitent woman in the incident recorded in Luke 7:36-50. Mary, Martha’s sister, choosing the better part, sat at Jesus’ feet to listen to his words (Luke 10:39). Of course, we recall the terrible crucifixion nails in Jesus’ feet on the cross. Finally, in Matthew 28, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were told by an angel that Jesus is risen. As they were on the way to tell the apostles,
In Ephesians 3:18 we read today St. Paul’s prayer:
Now if that message doesn’t knock your socks off, I don’t know what will! Come, Lord Jesus, and fill us, head to toe, with the power of your Spirit!
Sharon Krause is a RENEW volunteer whose writing has appeared in several resources for small-group faith sharing. She is a wife, mother, and grandmother residing in Manchester, Connecticut. Over the years, she has served in many parish ministries.
Resource: http://www.catholic.org
The scripture passages are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.