Franciscan Spirituality #8: Origins to Francis, Part 5 – Feb 23 – Homily – Fr Terrance

 

Fr Terrance gives the homily at Bloomington, IN on Feb 23, 2023, where he continues his series on Franciscan Spirituality as he gives more background leading up to St. Francis, this time focusing on the spirituality of Sts. Augustine and Benedict, who had a significant influence on Western Spirituality before Francis.

St Augustine - From 5 Wednesday audience by Pope Benedict XVI

He is unique, greatest Father of the Latin Church with the most writings, Paul VI He was the summary of all past and a guide for all future teaching and spirituality

Baptized by St. Ambrose

?? Encounter Christ

I believe to understand. I understand to better to believe

Man is the great enigma and abyss that only Christ can deliver us from

By encountering and turning to Christ, we embrace our true identity, our true self

The hope of returning to truth must be restored, which is finding Christ, the way, outside of this way, no one can be saved

three conversions after renouncing his childhood catechism instructions from his mother.

1st Conversion _ reading epistles of Paul and Ambrose, account in his Confessions, "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh" Rom 13: 13-14 - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/romans/13?13

Felt darkness of doubt leave

2nd conversion - after baptism, intended to be a monk, but realized that God wanted him to live for others by becoming a priest and then a bishop

Prayer is the expression of desire, and God responds by giving the grace to love for others, first God and then neighbors

3rd Conversion - Realize that he needs permanent and continual conversion and repentance from sins.

Spirituality - Great piety and ardent love for God that enlightened his already great mind

Spirituality is focused on love and Christ; all asceticism is just an act of love

So rather Christo-centric, but these ideas did not gain traction in the west till later

St. Benedict - Born in Norcia 50 years after the death of Augustine

reunited the disintegrated Roman empire in the Christian Church and faith

Left school in Rome and became a hermit at Subiaco for three years with the aim of pleasing God

Worked on overcoming the three main temptations that we all face: self-affirmation, sensuality, and anger or revenge.

Only then did he start the Monastic system that he is famous for.

Must be at peace in our own hearts before we can be an instrument of peace

Monastisiscsm should be one of service, Prayer, and work, Ora et Labora

Prayer is listening to God and then must put this action.

Adopted the easter tradition of asceticism and united it to the Western Roman idea of the importance of the Family and leading by loving, pastoral example, to serve rather than to rule.

The monastic rule for the monk focused on praying and working

The ascetical climb to perfection and union with God and is a work of grace.

His spirituality is essentially theocentric, focused on God, who is far removed in inaccessible light.

The Christocentric theology and spirituality, the idea of intimacy with the God-man, Jesus, was not yet well developed.

Ave Maria!

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.

Mass: Thursday after Ash Wednesday - Wkdy
Readings:  - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/022323.cfm
1st: deu 30:15-20
Resp: psa 1:1-4, 6
Gsp: luk 9:22-25

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1650

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