Bogoslovska smotra, Vol. 86 No. 4, 2016.
Izvorni znanstveni članak
Mercy in the Writings of Francis of Assisi and Bonaventure of Bagnoregio
Daniel Patafta
orcid.org/0000-0002-3927-8523
; Katolički bogoslovni fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Sažetak
Mercy has deeply marked the entire Franciscan spirituality and theology and if one wants to speak about Franciscan theology and spiritual heritage, one cannot leave out this topic. On the other hand, the previous research in this area did not pay sufficient attention to this topic in relation to other topics that marked the Franciscan-theological tradition. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of how this topic was treated by Francis of Assisi and Bonaventure of Bagnoregio. They both lived in the XIII century and belonged to the spiritual-theological tradition that has been formed in that century and that marked the Franciscan theological-philosophical school in the following centuries up until today. Francis of Assisi is certainly an example of, firstly, an unsystematic theological reflection that is primarily marked by his own spiritual experiences. As such, he was a teacher and an example of mercy, which was an inspiration for all generations of Franciscans in the following centuries. On the other hand, Bonaventure of Bagnoregio is an excellent example of theological and spiritual reflection of this period, which treated and presented mercy systematically, as one would expect from a renowned theologian. On the basis of these two examples, the article will analyse the treatment of mercy in Franciscan theology and spirituality, while emphasising the fact that these two authors lived in the XIII century in which Franciscan theology and spirituality emerged. Francis´ practical and gospel-based example and Bonaventure´s systematic theological reflection are sources for the discourse on how mercy was experienced and understood in the Franciscan tradition. They both see human life as on the way to God and this is not achieved through one´s own strength, but through God´s mercy, which is a special gift of God. They both express the primacy of love through mercy for all the creation, especially for the human being. In a way, mercy perfects and makes love and all other virtues more concrete and these are then manifested as acts of merciful love towards those who are in need and towards the whole creation.
Ključne riječi
mercy; Francis of Assisi; perfect love; brotherly love; Bonaventure of Bagnoregio, wisdom – the source of mercy
Hrčak ID:
174461
URI
Datum izdavanja:
7.2.2017.
Posjeta: 1.421 *