FS #32: Dogmatic Christocentrism, Part 4 – Jun 27 – Homily – Fr Terrance
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Fr Terrance gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Jun 28, 2023, where he continues his series on Franciscan Spirituality and how the idea that we are for Christ just as Christ is for God himself first relates to the logic of love and the Christocentric doctrinal basis of this spirituality.
Praise be to Jesus and Mary, now and forever. Today's Franciscan spirituality discussion centers around the theme of our existence and the entire universe's purpose being for Christ, underpinned by the principle of love. This love finds its ultimate realization in the Blessed Trinity and the Incarnation, extending to all creation, the masterpiece of God, who Himself is an embodiment of self-giving love.
We believe that all creation, including Our Lady, angels, men, women, and even inanimate and irrational beings, exist through Christ and for Christ. This principle, found in ['Colossians 1:16 - For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible -'](https://bible.usccb.org/bible/colossians/1?16) implies our ultimate return to God is always through Jesus Christ, who is the Alpha and Omega, as stated in ['Revelation 1:8 - I am the Alpha and the Omega -'](https://bible.usccb.org/bible/revelation/1?8).
Everything in the universe is "ad orientum," oriented towards Christ. The entire creation hierarchy, from minerals to plants, animals, humans, and even angels, serves a purpose that leads ultimately to Him.
Christ is the recapitulation of all creation, a notion underlined in the theology of Saint Irenaeus. This concept of Christ being the center around which everything revolves is echoed in the writings of Saint Bonaventure. Christ is not only at the center of all beings and thoughts but also the greatest manifestation of God, or 'theophany.'
Father Matthias Schaben emphasizes Christ's role as the sun among planets - a heart of creation and life. He refers to Christ as the center of gravity of the universe, mirroring Jesus' words in ['John 12:32 - And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself -'](https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/12?32). This recognition of Christ as the center of creation resonates strongly with Franciscan spirituality.
00:00 - Introduction
00:15 - How all creation is for Christ
01:01 - The Logic of Love and Its Expression Through Christ
01:56 - Christ as the Alpha and Omega
02:55 - Christ is the recapitulation of all creation
03:46 - Central to Mystical, Supernatural and Metaphysical orders
04:29 - Christ as the Sun of Creation: His Role in Attracting All Beings
05:30 - Drawing All Men to Himself
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: St. Irenaeus - Mem http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=291
Readings: Wed 12th Wk of Ord Time - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/062823.cfm
1st: gen 15:1-12, 17-18
Resp: psa 105:1-4, 6-9
Gsp: mat 7:15-20
More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1097&r=1427
Also on Facebook: https://fb.watch/lr_ESc1mkT/
and YouTube: https://youtu.be/xsydYxmoKYc
