FS #39: Dogmatic Christocentrism, Part 11 – Jul 20 – Homily – Fr Terrance

 

Fr Terrance gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Jul 20, 2023, where he continues his series on Franciscan Spirituality, and finishes his explanation of the idea of Christ becoming our redeemer relates to the doctrinal Christocentric basis of this spirituality.

Praise be Jesus and Mary. In today's discussion on Franciscan spirituality, we ask: Did Christ need to die for our redemption? As per St. Augustine's teachings, God could have found another way, but instead chose redemption via Christ's death. This was not a necessity, but rather a divine decree to showcase His love and glorify Christ.

Christ's suffering, greater than the offense caused by humanity's sin, presented an offering pleasing to God. Christ offered himself in accordance with God's will as mentioned in [Hebrews 10: 5-7 - God prepared a body for Christ and he agreed to do His will - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/hebrews/10?5]. He became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross, as stated in [Philippians 2: 7-8 - Christ humbled himself and was obedient to death, even death on a cross - https://bible.usccbccb.org bible/philippians/2?7].

Christ's exquisite sensitivity in His perfect humanity magnified His suffering, both physically and mentally. Yet, He freely accepted this pain out of immense love for us, and His sacrifice stands as a testament of the greatest level of love a creature can show God, as expressed in [John 15:13 - There's no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/15?13].

Christ crucified is central to God's plan, demonstrating infinite love. His sacrifice serves as our pathway to the Father and is the wellspring of all grace. Christ's victory over sin reconciles us with God and each other, encapsulated in [Colossians 1: 19-20 - God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Christ, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, making peace through His blood, shed on the cross - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/colossians/1?19]. Ultimately, as per [1 Corinthians 15:28 - God will be all in all - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/15?28], everything will be subjected to God.

According to the Franciscan viewpoint, Christ, due to his predestination, his mediation of nature, grace, and glory, and his sacrifice, is the center of all creation. We pray to the Virgin Mary for guidance to center our lives on Christ. Praise be Jesus and Mary, now and forever.

00:00 – Introduction
00:09 – Necessity of Christ's Death for Redemption, St. Augustine's Perspective
00:37 – St. Thomas Aquinas's View, Theology of Sin's Infinity
01:57 – Role of Jesus in Redemption, Duns Scotus's Teachings
02:59 – Theological Significance of Christ's Sacrifice, Its Impact on God's Glory
03:58 – Role of Love
04:51 – Willingness of Jesus to Sacrifice Himself
05:46 – Sensitivity and Suffering of Christ
06:58 – Redemption Through the Cross, Role of Christ's Love
08:14 – Christ as Universal Peacemaker, Effects of His Sacrifice.

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: St. Apollinaris - Opt Mem
Readings: Thursday 15th Week of Ordinary Time - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/072023.cfm
1st: exo 3:11-20
Resp: psa 105:5, 8-9, 24-27
Gsp: mat 11:28-30

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1110&r=1447

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