We can learn a great deal about the resurrection of Jesus from the wisdom of
our saints. Although most of these faith heroes lived many years ago, their
words are still true today.
St. Bonaventure
"Christ, the Power and Wisdom of God, having overcome the author of
death, vanquished death itself, opened for us the way to eternity by rising from
the dead ... and showed us the path of life."
- from The Tree of Life
"He enlightened our faith with proofs, lifted our hope with promises, so
as finally to inflame our love with gifts from heaven."
- from The Tree of Life
"He truly outshines the sun, forecasting how beautiful the human body
will be at its own resurrection."
- from The Tree of Life
"The One so good and so great desires you to embrace him and is waiting
to embrace you."
- from The Mystical Vine
"In forming you, I conformed you to the likeness of My divinity; to
re-form you, conformed Myself to the likeness of your humanity."
- from The Mystical Vine
"I became human and visible so that you might see Me and so love Me,
since, unseen and invisible in My divinity, I had not been properly loved.
As a price for my incarnation and passion, give me yourself for whom I became
flesh and for whom I suffered. I gave myself to you, now give yourself to
me."
- from The Mystical Vine
"He withstood all these sufferings in order to set you aflame
with love for Him; in order to move you, in return, to love Him with all your
heart, all your soul, and all your mind."
- from On the Perfection of Life
Bonaventure quotes Bernard (of Clairvaux) in On the Perfection of Life —
"Behold," says Bernard, "the head of Christ leaning down to kiss
us, His arms stretched out for an embrace, His hands pierced for a gift of
blood, His side open for loving, His whole body extended for a complete spending
of Himself."
"If, at times, things sad, burdensome, tiring, or bitter happen along
your way, particularly if some good appears distasteful, run without delay to
Jesus on the cross."
- from On the Perfection of Life
Quick Biography: St.
Bonaventure (Catholic Online)