April 17, 2014 Psalm
116:1-2, 12-19
Maundy
Thursday 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
John
13:1-17, 31b-35
Bonaventure
(1221-1274)
The
Tree of Life
Among
all the memorable events of Christ’s life, the most worthy of remembrance is that
last banquet, the most sacred supper. Here not only the Paschal lamb was
presented to be eaten but also the immaculate Lamb, who takes away the sins of
the world… In this banquet the marvelous sweetness of Christ’s goodness shone
forth when He dined at the same table and on the same plates with those poor
disciples and the traitor Judas. The marvelous example of His humility shone
forth when, girt with a towel, the King of Glory diligently washed the feet of
the fishermen and even of His betrayer. The marvelous richness of His
generosity was manifest when He gave to the whole Church and the world, His
most sacred body and His true blood as food and drink so that what was soon to
be a sacrifice pleasing to God and the priceless price of our redemption would
be our viaticum (provisions for a
journey) and sustenance. Finally the marvelous outpouring of His love shone
forth when loving His own to the end. He strengthened them in goodness with a
gentle exhortation, especially forewarning Peter to be firm in faith and
offering to John His breast as a pleasant and sacred place of rest.
O how
marvelous are all these things, how full of sweetness, but only for that soul
who, having been called to so distinguished a banquet runs with all the ardor
of its spirit so that it may cry out with David:
As the stag longs for the
springs of water,
So
my soul longs for You, O God.
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