A sacrament of divine love

Two great saints of the thirteenth century, St Thomas Aquinas the Dominican and St Bonaventure the Franciscan theologian and bishop, provided different but complementary insights into the Eucharist. St Thomas Aquinas is especially known for his explanation of how Christ is truly present in the sacrament, while St Bonaventure is particularly remembered for helping believers to understand why Christ remains present among us: because, in his great love, he desires to unite himself ever more closely to those whom he loves.

The Eucharist is, above all, the sacrament of Christ's presence with us, transforming us and drawing us toward the heavenly communion for which we were created. St Bonaventure teaches that at the Last Supper Christ gave his Body and Blood as food and drink (Lignum Vitae 30), leaving the Church a lasting memorial of his saving love.

For Bonaventure, the Eucharist is not merely something Christ gives; it is Christ giving himself. We approach him in this sacrament not merely as an object of admiration or reflection, but in a personal encounter with Love itself. Our response is not meant to be one of intellectual curiosity or admiration alone, but of gratitude, faith and self-surrender.

In characteristically Franciscan fashion, Bonaventure draws our attention to the humility of God, who took flesh and dwelt among us and who continues to hide himself beneath the appearances of bread and wine.

Just as ordinary food becomes part of us, so the Eucharist nourishes us spiritually. Yet the deeper mystery is that we are drawn into Christ and gradually transformed by his grace into his likeness. In this sense, we become spiritually what we receive. Like many other spiritual writers of the medieval period, St Bonaventure also sees the Eucharist as a foretaste of the heavenly banquet that will be fully revealed in eternity.

An important theme that arises again and again in the Doctors of the Church is the need for careful preparation before receiving Holy Communion. Examination of conscience, repentance, humility and prayerful longing are all part of such preparation. Each reception of Holy Communion can become a moment of renewal, a new beginning in the spiritual life.

For an introduction to Bonaventure's Eucharistic teaching, especially in his Commentary on the Sentences (Book IV, Distinctions 8-13), see the Franciscan Archive.

The memorial of St Bonaventure occurs on 15 July.