Notable and Quotable: Scripture

Prologue: A reading from the Breviloquium of St Bonaventure

From the knowledge of Jesus Christ flows the understanding of the whole of holy scripture

The source of scripture is not attributable to human investigation, but to divine revelation which flows ‘from the Father of lights’. From him all paternity in heaven and earth is named, and from him through his Son, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit flows, into us, and through the Holy Spirit, dividing and distributing his gifts to individuals as he pleases, faith is given to us, and through faith Christ dwells in our hearts. This is the knowledge of Jesus Christ from whom the strength and understanding of the whole of holy scripture flows as from its source. Hence it is impossible that anyone should enter into that knowledge unless he first have infused into himself faith in Christ, the light, the door, and the very foundation of all scripture. This is the faith of all supernatural illuminations as long as we are absent from the Lord and the foundation that stabilizes us, the light that directs us, and the door that lets us in. Further, the wisdom given us by God must be determined according to the measure of faith lest anyone ‘think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith which God has assigned to him’.

The result or fruit of holy scripture is not simply any kind, but rather a fullness of eternal happiness. In scripture are the words of eternal life. It is written not only that we may believe, but also that we may possess eternal life, in which we shall see and love, and our desires will be completely satisfied. When these desires are satisfied, we shall know the overwhelming love of knowledge and thus we shall abound unto all the fullness of God. Divine scripture tries to lead us on to this plenitude in accord with the truth of the sentence of the Apostle quoted above. This, then, is the end and this the intention with which holy scripture should be studied, taught, and even heard.

In order to arrive at that fruit, by progress along the true path of the scriptures, we must begin at the beginning. We must come with true faith to the Father of lights, prostrating our heart before him, so that he may grant us the true knowledge of Jesus Christ through his Son in the Holy Spirit. With this knowledge we must ask for a love of him, so that finally achieving a solid faith and a deep-rooted love, we may be able to know the length and breadth, height and depth, of holy scripture. Through this knowledge we have to arrive at the fullness of knowledge and plenitude of love for the Most Blessed Trinity. All the desires of holy men tend there; the end and complement of all truth and goodness is to be found there.

This week, I have been working on a series of Advent reflections focused on hope. There is great hope embedded in this piece from St. Bonaventure. May God open your heart and mind to be receptive to it. Advent blessings.