Gospel in Art: Feast of Saint Bonaventure

St Bonaventure receiving the Habit from St Francis, by Francisco de Herrera the Elder, 1628 ©Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 15 July 2024
Matthew 10: 34-11:1

Jesus instructed the Twelve as follows: 'Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth: it is not peace I have come to bring, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man's enemies will be those of his own household.

'Anyone who prefers father or mother to me is not worthy of me. Anyone who prefers son or daughter to me is not worthy of me. Anyone who does not take his cross and follow in my footsteps is not worthy of me. Anyone who finds his life will lose it; anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it.

'Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me; and those who welcome me welcome the one who sent me.

'Anyone who welcomes a prophet will have a prophet's reward; and anyone who welcomes a holy man will have a holy man's reward.

'If anyone gives so much as a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple, then I tell you solemnly, he will most certainly not lose his reward.'

When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples he moved on from there to teach and preach in their towns.

Reflection on the painting

Today we celebrate the feast of Saint Bonaventure, Franciscan theologian and philosopher. Our painting is one of a series of eight works by Herrera and Zurbarán, created for the church of the Collegio de San Buenaventura in Seville, depicting the life of Saint Bonaventure (1221-1274). The canvas illustrates the moment when the young Bonaventure kneels before Saint Francis to receive the habit. All eight paintings have been executed in beige/brown colour tonalities, thus emulating the brown habit of the Franciscans.

Saint Bonaventure is by many regarded as the second founder of the Franciscan Order. Like his model, Saint Francis, Saint Bonaventure put Jesus at the very centre of everything: his theological, philosophical and pastoral works all revolved around the person of Christ. He is renowned for his work on faith and reason, particularly in his seminal work, "Journey of the Mind to God," which outlines a mystical path to divine union, through reason and faith.

The scene is set in our painting within a dimly lit, humble interior, emphasising the solemnity and sanctity of the occasion. Bonaventure is depicted as a young man, kneeling in reverence before Saint Francis, his posture signifying humility and devotion towards his friend and superior. Saint Francis sits before Bonaventure, gently placing the Franciscan habit in front of him. His expression is one of compassionate authority, embodying the role of a spiritual father welcoming a new member into the Franciscan Order. The gesture also signifies the passing of Franciscan values and mission to Bonaventure.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-10-34-11-1-2024/