Holding Off Pride with Holy Humility- Weekday Homily Video

Today, the Church celebrates the Feast of St. Bonaventure, a brilliant theologian, Franciscan, bishop, and Doctor of the Church.

He is remembered as the "Seraphic Doctor." I had to look up that first part!

The term “seraphic” refers to the seraphim, the highest order of angels, symbolizing a pure and burning love for God.

And, this is combined with the term “doctor,” which is a title given to saints recognized for their eminent learning and contribution to theology.

For St. Bonaventure, knowledge was never about winning arguments or gaining prestige. For him, knowledge and true wisdom always led to humility, prayer, and charity.

That message fits beautifully with today's readings.

In the first reading from Isaiah, God declares that He has used Assyria as "the rod of my anger" to discipline His Chosen People for their injustice and unfaithfulness.

Yet Assyria commits a grave mistake; that we can all make. Instead of recognizing that he is merely an instrument in God's hands, the king boasts, "By my own power I have done it, and by my wisdom."

Success Comes from God

His success, and sometimes ours, leads to arrogance. We can forget that every gift, every victory, and every opportunity ultimately come from God.

The Lord responds with a striking and humorous image: "Will the axe boast against the one who hews (cuts) with it?" It’s poignant and comical because the axe has no power apart from the one who swings it. (Imagine the soccer ball celebrating a goal instead of the world-class player!)

And, the same is true for each of us when it comes to our relationship with God, from where we derive our talents and opportunities.

Jesus echoes that same lesson in the Gospel. He rejoices that the mysteries of God's Kingdom have been hidden from "the wise and the learned" but revealed to "the childlike."

Jesus isn’t condemning education or intelligence. After all, today's saint was one of the greatest minds in the history of the Church.

Rather, Jesus is warning against the pride that can rise up when we attain knowledge…perhaps thinking we’re the smartest one in the room or the temptation to think we have all the answers, whether in our families, among our friends, or at school or work…

The truly wise person never believes he or she has figured out God. Instead, we are called to approach the Lord with the wonder, trust, and openness of a child, no matter our IQ, number of degrees, or accomplishments.

St. Bonaventure embodied that humility. He possessed one of the finest intellects of the Middle Ages, yet he understood that theology begins not in the library but on one's knees.

He believed and taught that no one enters into Divine Wisdom unless he is inflamed by the Holy Spirit.

That means that learning alone is not enough. We need grace. We need prayer. We need hearts that are willing to be taught by God.

This is an important reminder for all of us. We may not boast about military victories like the king of Assyria, but we can quietly become proud of our accomplishments, our education, our careers, our ministries, or even our spiritual lives.

Remember Every Blessing

If we’re not careful we can begin think, "I’ve achieved this or that...apart from God or maybe with God in back seat." Today's readings gently ask us to remember the source of every blessing.

Parents you can teach this lesson at home by helping your children not only to turn to God when things go wrong…but also to go to Him in thanks, when things go well.

My brothers and sisters, every talent, every success, every opportunity is a gift entrusted to us for the service of others and for the glory of God….that’s the key reference point whether in our personal or professional lives…giving Glory to God.

As we remember St. Bonaventure today, let us ask for his intercession. May he obtain for us minds that seek to know and love the truth, hearts that remain humble, and faith that is always childlike in its docility and trust.

Then, unlike the proud king of Assyria, we will recognize that everything we have and everything we are…comes from the Father, who has revealed Himself to us through His Son, Jesus Christ…. helping us to be more seraphic, more like the Saints and angels….giving praise to God…. each and every day!

• Today’s Readings
  
  
• Father Boby’s inspirational homily was recorded live during Mass at the Father Peyton Center today. You can watch the entire Mass on the Family Rosary Video streams channel on YouTube.
  
  
• Join the Rosary (11:30 am ET) and Mass (Noon ET) livestreams on the Family Rosary YouTube or Facebook page, Monday – Friday. Invite your friends and family to pray with you as well.