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Tag Archives: Bonaventure

A Web of Infinite Love

God is a one-directional waterwheel of love. Continue Reading A Web of Infinite Love

The God Beyond What We Know

There is an arrogance that comes from knowing and thinking that we normally have the right answer. Continue Reading The God Beyond What We Know

Cosmic Hope

Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary Richard’s love for the Trinity finds inspiration from the Franciscan mystical scholar St. Bonaventure (c. 1217–1274), who viewed all reality as coming from, participating with, and returning to God. Such a cosmic vision is mystical hope at its best! Bonaventure’s vision is positive, mystic, cosmic, intimately relational, and… Continue Reading Cosmic Hope

Seeing Things as They Truly Are

Francis and the Animals Seeing Things as They Truly Are Monday, October 4, 2021 Richard continues exploring Francis of Assisi’s insights, pointing us beyond the “bird bath” spirituality for which Francis is too often known.   Francis of Assisi knew that the finite manifests the infinite, and the physical is the doorway to the spiritual.… Continue Reading Seeing Things as They Truly Are

Joy in Contemplation

Joy and Hope Joy in Contemplation Wednesday, November 28, 2018 Joy proceeds from the inner realization of union with God, which descends upon us at ever deeper levels as we walk our faith journey. This deepening is the goal of Christian contemplation and is the heart of perennial wisdom from every faith. This is how… Continue Reading Joy in Contemplation

Universal Belonging

Joy and Hope Universal Belonging Tuesday, November 27, 2018 Bonaventure’s “vision logic,” as Ken Wilber would call it, and the lovely symmetry of his theology, can be summarized in what Bonaventure named the three great truths that for him hold everything together. He summarizes all his teaching in these three movements: Emanation: We come forth… Continue Reading Universal Belonging

The Franciscan Vision

Joy and Hope The Franciscan Vision Monday, November 26, 2018 St. Bonaventure of Bagnoregio (1217–1274) took Francis and Clare’s practical lifestyle to the level of theology, philosophy, and worldview. Unlike many theologians of his time, Bonaventure paid little attention to fire and brimstone, sin, merit, justification, or atonement. His vision is positive, mystic, cosmic, intimately… Continue Reading The Franciscan Vision

Christ Is the Template for Creation

Creation: Week 1 Christ Is the Template for Creation Thursday, February 15, 2018 The Franciscan philosopher and Doctor of the Church, St. Bonaventure of Bagnoregio (1217-1274) was an exemplary mystic because he so effectively pulled his brilliant mind down into his passionate heart. [1] In Bonaventure’s writings, you will find little or none of the… Continue Reading Christ Is the Template for Creation

Saved by the Cross

Salvation as At-One-Ment Saved by the Cross Wednesday, July 26, 2017 The cross is a perfect metaphor for what I meant when I titled one of my books Everything Belongs. God is to be found in all things, even and most especially in the painful, tragic, and sinful things—exactly where we do not want to look… Continue Reading Saved by the Cross

A Fountain Fullness of Love

Franciscan Spirituality: Week 3 A Fountain Fullness of Love Sunday, June 18, 2017 For as a human being, Christ has something in common with all creatures. With the stone he shares existence; with plants he shares life; with animals he shares sensation; and with the angels he shares intelligence. Therefore, all things are said to… Continue Reading A Fountain Fullness of Love

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