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Bonaventure’s Commentary on Luke’s Gospel Thirty Days of Reflection and Prayer 22 Day Eight: Read and meditate on Luke 7:24-30 Luke 7:22: “Go and report to John what you have heard and seen.” Bonaventure tells us: He commands the disciples of John the Baptist to tell him of the prodigies: restoration of sight, reconstitution of right walking, cleansing of the entire body, recovery of hearing , restoration to life, and exaltation of the needy … Lastly, with regard to the exaltation of the needy the text continues: “the poor have the gospel preached to them,” that is, they are preached to and exalted through the Gospel. This is clear, for the Lord’s Sermon commences with a commendation of the poor in Matthew 5:3, “Blessed are the poor,” and in Luke 6:20 above. And this was a certain sign of the coming of Christ, according to what Isaiah 29:19 has: “Poor men and women will exalt in the Holy One of Israel.” For, according to what is said in Isaiah 66:2, “to whom shall I have regard but the person who is poor and contrite in spirit,” etc. And James 2:5 says: “Has not God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith,” etc.? For of Christ himself it has been said: “He will spare the poor and the needy and will save the souls of the poor…. And their names will be honorable in his presence” (Psalm 71:1314 ). And that was a great prodigy that the names of the poor would become honorable, lovable, and praiseworthy. And this occurred only because of Jesus, who made himself poor in order to enrich and honor us poor. 2 Corinthians 8:9 says: “You know the graciousness of our Lord Jesus Christ, for, although he was rich, he became poor for your sakes.” And note that the text says, “The poor have the gospel preached to them,” rather than to those who are virgins or to those who are obedient . For poverty is the foundation of evangelical perfection. Avarice is the foundation of the city of Babylon, according to what 1 Timothy 6:10 has, “the root of all evil is avarice.” And according to Sirach 10:15, “pride is the beginning of every sin.” In contrast poverty of spirit, which as poverty and hu- 23 mility includes the opposite of both aforementioned sins, is the foundation of evangelical perfection. Reflection In his commentary Bonaventure lifts high the colors of his Franciscan vision and spirit. It is clear how deeply 2 Corinthians 8:9 influences his view of Christ: “You know the graciousness of our Lord Jesus Christ, for, although he was rich, he became poor for your sakes that he might enrich you by his poverty.” Contemporary scholarship strengthens Bonaventure ’s interpretation as it points to the fulfillment of Isaiah 61:1 in Jesus’ ministry. Already in his inaugural sermon at Nazareth, Jesus proclaimed that Isaiah 61:1 was being fulfilled in his ministry. With slight modification I quote from the eminent Lukan scholar Joseph Fitzmyer, S.J., “Rather than understanding his mission as that of a fiery reformer of the end time as John the Baptizer was, Jesus sees his role as the embodiment of the divine blessings promised in Isaiah to be shed on the unfortunate of human society.” Evangelical perfection is not just an attitude of being poor, but it is action towards the down and out of our global society. Prayer Lord, give me a break. I’m only on the eighth passage from Bonaventure’s Commentary on Luke, and I feel bombarded by his messages of care for the poor and the evils of avarice and pride. Give me ears to persevere in hearing this message. May generosity pour more readily from my heart towards those less fortunate here and abroad. ...

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