May the Lord give you peace and health in the Holy Spirit.
It is 15th July 2021. We celebrate the Memorial of St Bonaventure, Bishop and Doctor of the Church*
We reflect from Exodus 3:13-20 and the Gospel of Matthew 11:28-30
St. Bonaventure, the 13th century saint. He was known as “the seraphic doctor,” great philosopher and theologian of his day – a contemporary of St. Thomas Aquinas. St. Bonaventure wrote numerous mystical and ascetical treatises, most famously, “The Soul’s Journey into God.” “Let meditation of Christ’s life be your one and only aim, your rest, your food, your desire, your study.” says St. Bonaventure.
We all are interested to know what God’s name is. There are so many names in the scripture for God, but one name resonates the nature of God and who God is to us. I AM WHO I AM. We have called God with a lot of names according to our personal or community experience. But God wishes to be called in one name that is I AM WHO I AM. “This is my name for ever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.” (Ex.3:10). I exist as I AM. This not really a name rather quality of God being a personal, intimate, and relating God. I AM WHO I AM echoes the friendship and intimacy of God with us time immemorial. God who is with us always, present in every turn and turf of life, God who wipes our tears and bears our sufferings and emotional burdens.
We find it difficult to find answer to the question who I am when we struggle to believe and accept who God is.
But Jesus gave meaning to God’s quality by revealing Himself, “I am the living bread, I am the Light of the world, I am the light of life, I am the gate, I am the good shepherd, I am the resurrection, I am the way, the truth and the life, and I am the vine, and you are the branches.”
“All you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest”. If we feel the yoke of the law, yoke of the Pharisees, the yoke of work, and family, Jesus invites us to come to Him and take His yoke.
“My yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Mt. 11:30). Whatever is our tiredness and exhaustion, Jesus wishes to offer rest to us all. We need to come to Him, learn from Him, and spend quality time with Him. What is the yoke of Jesus? It could be the narrow door, and Jesus wishes to share the yoke with us. Loving God and Jesus is an experience not merely an expression. Jesus carried our burdens for us all.
May we follow the commandments of love that Jesus offers us. When we love, we do not feel it as a burden or obligation anymore. Have a lovely day. God bless you.