"Therefore, sanctifying graces makes the soul the temple of God, the bride of Christ, and the daughter of the eternal Father."

— St. Bonaventure [born Giovanni di Fidanza] (1217-1274)


Work Title
Date
1257
Metaphor
"Therefore, sanctifying graces makes the soul the temple of God, the bride of Christ, and the daughter of the eternal Father."
Metaphor in Context
5.  But he who possesses God must be in turn possessed by Him in a special way; and he who possesses and is possessed by God must love and be loved by Him particularly and uniquely, as one spouse loves and is loved by the other; and he who is loved must be adopted as a child entitled to an eternal inheritance. Therefore, sanctifying graces makes the soul the temple of God, the bride of Christ, and the daughter of the eternal Father. And since this cannot be wrought except through a supremely gracious condescension on the part of God, it could not be brought about through some habit NATURALLY implanted, but only through a free gift DIVINELY infused; as clearly appears if we consider what it means to be God's temple and His child, and to be joined to Him as though in wedlock by the bond of love and grace.
(V.1.5)
Provenance
Reading
Citation
St. Bonaventure, The Breviloquium (Paterson, NJ) <Link to http://www.catholic.uz/>
Date of Entry
01/13/2011

The Mind is a Metaphor is authored by Brad Pasanek, Assistant Professor of English, University of Virginia.