Franciscan Spirituality #4: Origins to Francis, Part 1 – Feb 09 – Homily – Fr Terrance
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Fr Terrance gives the homily at Bloomington, IN on Feb 09, 2023, on how Franciscan spirituality starts the New Testament Gospels with the first three gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke, pointing toward detachment from earthly things and the 4th gospel, John, focusing on attachment to God.
Franciscan spirituality is summed up in two points:
- Detachment from Creatures
- Union with God
The theme in the synoptic gospels is, If anyone will come to me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me Luke 9:23 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/9?23
the emphasis of synoptic gospels is to be watchful and pray Mark 14: 38 - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/14?38
Ascetical - the work we can do with our own effort and discipline to work with the grace that Christ gives us, to be more of a follower of Christ in spiritual life it's all
1 Renunciation of things - "If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to [the] poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Mat 19: 21 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/19?21
2 Detachment from other people Mat 10: 37 he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/10?37
3 Matthew 16: 24 Detachment from self - if anyone would come after me, he must design himself - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/16?24
Spirituality of self-denial, abnegation
World says self-indulgence, Christ says abnegation self-denial
Synoptic gospels focus on the spirituality of abnegation but not exclusively.
but denial is not an end to itself
The goal is love, God and neighbor, denial is to help achieve this love
Fourth Gospel St John goes more into union with Christ
Welcoming the light of Christ enables us to participate in the spiritual life.
Light, truth, life, all personal realities, and even a person, Christ
Reborn by Christ John 4 invited to be reborn in the Holy Spirit the living water. - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/4
reborn in grace
John mystical life of union
Come, follow me
Mystical life: Primarily focuses on the gifts of the Holy Spirit, we cooperate, but God does the heavy lifting and direction.
Ascetics is what we do, and mystical is what God does
Aesthetical is us climbing the ladder to God, Mystical is about God coming down to us to lift us up.
still some denial in John 15: 2 Divine pruning, cutting away, but subordinate to the mystical and positive going forward to God.
John 13: 34 To love each other as Christ loved us. - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/13?34
John 17: 21-23 Let them be one, our unity is a sign to the unbelievers. - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/17?21
Thus, schism is a great sin, as is causing division.
We have been given the power to love others because God has loved us first 1 John 4: 19 - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1john/4?19
Ask Our Lady for the grace to both deny ourselves and following of Christ
This is a continuation of his series of homilies on Franciscan Spirituality - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNN151zTIO4&list=PLejh_e0-LN4xgMllKrzSasL2Hljd5BHom
The material for this series comes primarily from Ciccarelli, Marciano M., "I capisaldi della spiritualità francescana" in Italian, which translates as "The Cornerstones of Franciscan Spirituality". No English translations exist at the time of this recording.
Ave Maria!
Mass: Thursday 5th Week of Ordinary Time - Wkdy
Readings: - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/020923.cfm
1st: gen 2:18-25
Resp: psa 128:1-5
Gsp: mar 7:24-30
More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1386
Also on Facebook: https://fb.watch/iATqpGTtTN/
and YouTube: https://youtu.be/J59vbDoUy0U
