Memorial of Saint Bonaventure, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.

We belong to Jesus. It’s as simple as that and yet we have such a hard time letting go of our independence. We try to do everything by ourselves. We only come to God when things get too heavy to bear on our own. However, we are never by ourselves. When we triumph, it is because God is with us and not because of our own efforts. When we persevere in times of trial, we do so because God is holding us up. We might not know God as we ought to or as we would like to, but one thing is certain: Jesus is with us in good times and in bad because we have been handed over to him and he never leaves his flock.

Do we try to do everything ourselves first? Wouldn’t it be better for us if we went to God first? How can we remind ourselves of Jesus’ presence in our lives in good times and bad?

O Lord, we have been handed over to you. We are yours now and forever.

Amen.