May 6, 2024

Hello John,

Meditation from Head, Heart, and Hands:

Bonaventure asserted that the heart of theology is emanation, exemplarity, and consummation.…To put this in everyday language, theology asks, “Where have I come from? What are the origins of the universe and human life? What is the purpose and meaning of our lives, and my life in particular? What is the ultimate goal of the human adventure? What can I hope for in a world in which joy and tragedy are intertwined?” If you’ve ever asked these questions, then you are a theologian…Theology involves loving God with your mind (your head) and then using your heart, hands, and voice to share the God you’ve found (or who has found you).

Today’s meditation from Bruce Epperly’s Head, Heart, and Hands is a wonderful reminder to us that, for Bonaventure, theology is much more than an intellectual exercise or field of study. Theology may often begin in the mind (our heads) but if it fails to animate our hearts and hands, then our theology is not integrative.

I hope you enjoy the newly released Head, Heart, and Hands as we remind ourselves today to allow our theology to animate the fullness of our being.

Blessings, 

Stephen Copeland

Book Editor, Franciscan Media

Saint of the Day for May 6: Marian and James

(d. May 6, 259)

Saints Marian and James’s Story

Saint Marian, an ordained lector, and Saint James, a deacon, were martyred during the persecution of Valerian around the year 259. Few other facts are known about them.

It seems that while they were in prison, each had a vision regarding his martyrdom. They drew courage from these apparitions and were able to courageously face death. They were joined in their deaths by other Christians.

Reflection

The old saying that the more things change the more they stay the same may apply to today’s celebration. Two faithful people facing the hardships of life during persecution in the third century may have a lot in common with those facing persecution for their faith today.

Don't miss this brand-new book, just released this week!

"Theological reflection surfaces 
whenever our lives are upended by tragedy or complicated by the 
need to make life-and-death decisions for loved ones.

Theology touches the totality of life."

-From Head, Heart, and Hands: An Introduction to Saint Bonaventure.

She knew from the moment of the rush of Gabriel’s wings and his lilting “Hail, full of Grace,” that she was only the handmaid, the servant of the most high God, and Gabriel only the messenger of God’s message. But what she could not have known was that she was more than God’s servant; she, mysteriously, was to be a vessel of the living God, and she was afraid. And Gabriel knew she was afraid and said, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for he who will be born of you will be known as the son of God.”

How can this be, she thought, and immediately she knew that God had come to her because she was a woman, and she was pure potential for motherhood, and no one human would be the agent.

And knowing, Gabriel said, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God” (Lk 1:35). Then she, in turn, replied, “May it be done according to your word” (Lk 1:38). And that was it, Gabriel himself open-eyed at her response; he himself, like her, unaware of the depths of the words they were exchanging, aware though of whose words Gabriel had announced to her.

—from St. Anthony Messenger‘s “Scenes from the Life of the Virgin Mary“
by Murray Bodo, OFM

Embrace the inspiring spiritual life of Saint Bonaventure that still resonates today!

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