FS #51: Mary’s Role, Part 5 – Oct 31 – Homily – Fr Terrance

 

Fr Terrance gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Oct 31, 2023, on how Franciscan Spirituality emphasizes Our Lady's role in God's plan, today focusing on her being everyone's mother.

Our Lady's role in Franciscan spirituality and her universal motherhood. Mary is the mother of God and all of humanity. God associates her with Jesus, creating an intimate union between them. St. Francis recognized Mary's motherhood, and Franciscans often depict her with child, crushing the serpent. By her divine maternity, Mary became the true mother of Jesus, giving him her immaculate flesh and blood.

Jesus says, "anyone who sees him has seen the Father," [John 14:9 - Whoever has seen me has seen the Father - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/14?9]. Jesus and Mary echo God's will in their words: "Behold, I come to do your will," [Hebrews 10:9 - Here I am to do your will - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/hebrews/10?9] and "Behold the handmaid of the Lord," [Luke 1:38 - Let it be done to me according to your word - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/1?38].

Franciscan theology emphasizes Mary's cooperation with God from her conception. Mary's bond with Jesus is profound, both naturally and supernaturally. St. Augustine notes that Mary first conceived Jesus in her heart before her womb. She conceived Jesus by the Holy Spirit, always remaining a virgin. Mary's relationship with Jesus is highlighted in the Gospels: "blessed are those who hear the Word of God and keep it," [Luke 11:28 - Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/11?28], and "my mother and my brothers are those who hear the Word of God and keep it," [Luke 8:21 - My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/8?21].

Mary's maternal mission is evident in the Gospels. She presents Jesus to various figures, initiates his public ministry at Cana [John 2:11 - His disciples began to believe in him - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/2?11], and stands by him at Calvary. Pope Pius X emphasizes that Mary spiritually carries all believers within her.

In conclusion, Mary's "yes" at the Annunciation was also a "yes" to all of us. She is our spiritual mother, giving birth to us through grace. Through Jesus and Mary, we become adopted children of God. Let's seek Our Lady's grace to grow closer to her.

00:00 - Introduction
00:17 - Mary as universal mother
00:54 - St. Francis' devotion to Mary
01:25 - Mary as parent of God
01:48 - Jesus resembles his mother
02:15 - Mary's perfect correspondence to grace
03:06 - Mary gave Jesus his human nature
03:29 - God made Mary the most exalted creature
04:00 - Mary first conceived Jesus spiritually
04:47 - Mary generates God and gives human nature to Jesus
05:39 - Mary's spiritual maternity
06:26 - Mary more united to Jesus spiritually than physically
07:23 - Mary gave birth to us spiritually at Calvary
09:57 - Mary is spiritual mother of all Christians

This is a continuation of his series of homilies on Franciscan Spirituality - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNN151zTIO4&list=PLejh_e0-LN4xgMllKrzSasL2Hljd5BHom
and the subsection "Mary's Role"

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 of this book exist at the time of this recording.

Ave Maria!

Mass: Tuesday 30th Week of Ordinary Time - Wkdy
Readings:  - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/103123.cfm
1st: rom 8:18-25
Resp: psa 126:1-6
Gsp: luk 13:18-21

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1536

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and YouTube: https://youtu.be/hH9Bk-eis5I