Tuesday, July 15, 2025

 

Memorial of Saint Bonaventure, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

(Exodus 2:1-15a; Matthew 11:20-24)

St. Bonaventure was one of the great saints of the Middle Ages.  His writings are still read and valued.  He also was an excellent administrator.  In the middle of his career at the University of Paris, he was elected General Minister of the Franciscan Order.  Bonaventure structured the large group with effective legislation and a coherent spirituality based on St. Francis’ legacy.

Today’s first reading presents another man who will become an effective leader and theologian.  It portrays Moses as a diamond in the rough.  Moses feels a righteous anger when the Egyptian strikes the Hebrew worker.   But his quick resort to violence is imprudent.  God will instruct him over years in exile so that he may lead God’s chosen people to freedom.

Neither Moses nor St. Bonaventure could have performed as well as they did without
God’s assistance.  We also need to rely on the Lord by praying often and carefully discerning His will.

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