Seek the bridegroom not the teacher

I often find great inspiration of the Office of Readings.  Today an extract from the marvellous Italian bishop, academic, and mystical teacher St Bonaventure (1221-1274), whose Feast Day we celebrate.  This great Franciscan is one of the many predecessors of our Carmelite saints, for of course their teachings were not entirely novel, rather they were largely a distillation of what had gone before and a presentation of it in a new form.  Bonaventure tells us to ‘suspend all the operations of the mind and transform the peak of our affections, directing them to God alone.  This is a sacred mystical experience.  It cannot be comprehended by anyone unless he surrenders himself to it, unless he longs for it … this mystical wisdom is revealed by the Holy Spirit. If you ask how such things can occur, seek the answer in God’s grace, not in doctrine; in the longing of the will, not in the understanding; in the sighs of prayer, not in research; seek the bridegroom not the teacher; God and not man; darkness not daylight; and look not to the light but rather to the raging fire that carries the soul to God with intense fervour and glowing love.’  Seek the bridegroom not the teacher – I love that! Heart speaks to heart!

Intercessions:

Brian Davis – cancer

Cancer: Marie, Bernard (and wife Angela caring for him), Jacqui, Sue B, Theresa K

Siena, Elara – sick children

Wojtek – massive heart attack leaving him incapacitated

David OCDS - housebound

Sophia – blind infant

Joy Smith OCDS – seriously ill

Grace – troubling ailments, job difficulties, family (deceased mother and health of father)