FS #30: Dogmatic Christocentrism, Part 2 – Jun 22 – Homily – Fr Terrance
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Fr Terrance gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Jun 22, 2023, where he continues his series on Franciscan Spirituality, and how the idea of God being the supreme good, or "summum bonum," relates to the Christocentric doctrinal basis of this spirituality.
The Franciscan theologian St. Bonaventure proposes two modes of contemplating God: one views Him as the 'I am', the supreme being. The other as the supreme good, the foundation of his theology. He envisages God not as a static entity like Aristotle's unmoved mover, but as an active, overflowing fountain, constantly giving of Himself [John 4:14 - 'Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst' - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/4?14]. This perspective supports the concept of the Trinity: God as the lover, the beloved, and their reciprocal love's bond.
Bonaventure highlights God's abundant nature within the Trinity and His voluntary expression into creation. Blessed John Duns Scotus sees God as intrinsically love, His actions reflecting a dynamic of goodness. God's love within Himself is necessary, His love overflowing into creation is voluntary. Alexander of Hales, St. Bonaventure's teacher, describes God's goodness as dual: internally eternal, externally temporal.
God's love and freedom preside over His creation, externalizing His love. His love is reciprocated completely in creation only through Christ Jesus [Matthew 12:18 - 'Behold, My Servant whom I have chosen; My Beloved in whom My soul is well-pleased' - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/12?18], quoting Isaiah 42:1. Father Matthias Schaben, a 19th-century theologian, mirrors this sentiment, positing the Incarnation's roots and explanation within the Trinity.
The Incarnation of Christ is willed by God for His own sake, independent of sin. In the Trinity, the Father and Son exchange mutual love; in the Incarnation, this reciprocal love continues [Colossians 1:15 - 'He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation' - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/colossians/1?15] [Matthew 28:18 - 'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth' - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/28?18] [Matthew 3:17 - 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased' - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/3?17]. The Son loves and honors the Father through His new birth and Sonship, offering the Father perfect adoration and the greatest sacrifice on Calvary.
Christ's heart, united to the Word, welcomes God's gift and reciprocates with perfect love. This unconditional love underpins the predestination of Christ, independent of any external elements. While these theological concepts can be complex, they aid in better understanding and loving God. Let's seek Our Lady's intercession for understanding and knowledge to better comprehend God's plan and cooperate with Him daily.
00:00 – Introduction
00:14 - God as the Supreme Good: St. Bonaventure's View
00:49 - Conception of God as Pure Act
01:17 - God as a Fountain of Living Water and the Infinite Good
01:53 - The Trinity and the Supreme Good
02:37 - Blessed John Duns Scotus on God's Love and Activities
03:34 - Franciscan Alexander of Hales on God's Manifestation of Goodness
04:12 - Creation as a Pure Effect of God's Love
05:00 - God's Goodness in the Trinity and Christ Jesus
06:04 - Incarnation of Christ as Willed by God
07:15 - Interactions within the Trinity and Their Reflection in the Incarnation
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: John Fisher & Thomas More - Opt Mem
Readings: Thursday 11th Week of Ordinary Time - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/062223.cfm
1st: 2co 11:1-11
Resp: psa 111:1-4, 7-8
Gsp: mat 6:7-15
More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1093&r=1422
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