Jul 15 – Memorial for St. Bonaventure, bishop, religious, doctor
St. Bonaventure (1221-1274) entered the Franciscan Order when he was 22. At the age of 35 he was chosen General of his Order and restored a perfect calm where peace had been disturbed by internal dissensions. He did much for his Order and composed The Life of St. Francis. He also assisted at the translation of the relics of St. Anthony of Padua.
Isa 10:5-7,13-16
Mt 11:25-27
“I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and of earth…”
There is a thread running through the readings in Isaiah and Matthew — that of our human arrogance and pride in our intelligence — our learned knowledge. In the early days of my career, I have definitely uttered the same sentiments as Assyria: “By my own intelligence, for understanding is mine.” I used to believe that my hard-earned accomplishments were through sheer hard work, doggedness and a modicum of intelligence.
The Lord played no part in it. How could He? Or so I thought, when I hadn’t known Him then. Such was my arrogance. Thanks be to God and His mercy, I see things very differently now. I think that was what Jesus meant in today’s gospel reading — unless we can empty ourselves of what we think we know, our knowledge and accomplishments, we will not be able to receive. A full cup cannot be filled again.
Besides approaching our Lord with a child-like innocence of a desire to learn and receive, we also approach God through His Son and only His Son. “No one knows the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son chooses…” We have to know Jesus and desire to be with Him, like a child wishes to spend time with a parent.
And if God does reveal Himself to us and bestow us with gifts of intellectual or emotional intelligence, musical talents or great sporting prowess, may we never be like Assyria and think that we achieved any of it through our own human wisdom and power. For truly, can an axe vaunt itself over the one who wields it? Or a rod raise the one who lifts it up?
(Today’s OXYGEN by Julia Lim)
Prayer: Jesus, help me to empty my cup each time I come before you in humility and an innocent heart, ready to receive. Grant me the grace to rid myself of any arrogance or self righteousness I may harbour about my accomplishments and talents; instead, acknowledging that without You, I can accomplish nothing.
Thanksgiving: I bless and thank you, Father, Lord of Heaven and of earth, for hiding these things from the learned and revealing them to mere children. Let us exhort our God and Creator and bless Him all the days of our lives for all He chooses to reveal to us.
OXYGEN 
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