TREATISE OF ST. BONAVENTURE ON THE SACRED HEART

 

TREATISE OF ST. BONAVENTURE ON THE SACRED HEART 

The providence of God permitted one of the soldiers to pierce the sacred side of Christ with a lance in order that the Church might come forth from that side while He was hanging dead on the cross. The Divine Ruler allowed this to happen that the Scripture might be fulfilled, which says: "They shall look on Him Whom they pierced" (Zacharias XII, 10). God's purposes were furthered when that sacred side, opened up by the thrust of the spear, poured forth blood and water, the price of our redemption. This saving liquid which sprang from the fountain that was Christ's Heart would empower the Sacrament of the Church to give grace. For those who live in Christ, it would be a drink of the living fountain that springs up to eternal life. 

 Arise, then, O soul friendly to Christ! Be on your guard continuously! Put your lips to the place where you may drink the waters of the Savior's well. Since once we come to the Heart of the Lord, our dearest Jesus, and realize that it is good for us to be here,5 we are not easily torn away from It. 0 how good and how pleasant it is to dwell in this Heart! The good treasure is Thy Heart. The pearl 4 Book on the Tree of Life, mnn. 30, On the M)•SticaJ Vine, chapter 3. 5 cf. Matt. XVII, 4. 6 cf. Psalm CXXXII, 1. 

The Blessed Sacrament and the Sacred Heart 113 of great price is Thy Heart. 0 all good Jesus, we found this Pearl after the field which was Thy body had been dug open. Who would reject this Pearl? As for me, I shall surrender all other pearls, I shall give in exchange all my thoughts and actions, and I will unite this Pearl to myself. For by casting all my thoughts and desires into the Heart of the good Jesus, I will not be deceived, but rather will be supported by that same Heart. Since I have found this Heart, which is both Thine and mine, 0 dearest Jesus, I shall now beseech Thee Who art my God: "Allow my prayers to enter Thy sanctuary where Thou shalt answer them. Rather, do more than this. Draw me entirely into Thy Heart." Thy side was opened to make an entrance for us. Thy Heart was wounded to be our dwelling place free from the disturbances outside. For no less a reason, this Heart was pierced that by seeing a visible wound we might behold the invisible wound of His love. How could He have shown His love more convincingly than by permitting not only His body, but even His very Heart to be wounded by a spear? 

The wound of the flesh therefore, shows forth the wound of the spirit. Who would not love that Heart so wounded? Who would not return the love of a Heart so loving? Who would not embrace a Heart so pure? And so, while we are still with our bodies, let us, as much as we are able, love in return One Who so loves us; let us embrace our wounded One, Whose hands and feet, side and Heart were pierced by ungodly barbarians; and let us pray that, although our hearts are yet obstinate and impenitent, He may deem them worthy to become the prisoners and targets of His love. 7 d . Matt. XIII, 44; Matt. XIII, 46.