FS #55: Man in Franciscan Spirituality, Part 1 – Nov 13 – Homily – Fr Terrance
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Fr Terrance gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Nov 13, 2023, on Franciscan Spirituality, starting a new subsection, "Man in Franciscan Spirituality," humanity's role in God's plan, here emphasizing our creation in Christ's image, the impact of sin and redemption, and our ultimate union with the God through Christ's mediation.
Franciscan spirituality includes man's role in God's plan. Fr. moves his discussion of God, Christ, and Our Lady to humanity. Humanity, created through Christ, finds its purpose in Him. Our nature is wounded by sin, but Jesus' redemption re-establishes our spiritual link with God, calling us back through the cross.
Father Ciccarelli, in his book on Franciscan spirituality, likens humanity to a wounded eagle longing to regain its lost heights. Despite worldly seductions, our true homeland lies beyond this earth, as stated in Hebrews 11:13 - 'we are strangers and exiles on this earth' - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/hebrews/11?13.
In Franciscan thought, God, Christ, and man are interconnected. Man, united to Christ, reaches the Blessed Trinity through Our Lady. St. Francis reflected on this unity in his admonitions, emphasizing our creation in the image of God's Son.
St. Bonaventure describes Christ as the eternal art of the Father, a divine ray of light guiding us to God. Christ, as the link between heaven and earth, enlightens our identity and purpose.
Franciscan optimism stems from Genesis 1:31 - 'God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good' - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/genesis/1?31. This is echoed in Psalm 8:5-6, highlighting humanity's exalted status - 'You have made him little less than a god and crowned him with glory and honor' - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/8?5.
St. Bernadine of Siena and St. Gregory Nazianzen also celebrate humanity's unique place in creation. Our understanding and freedom as God's children are encapsulated in 2 Corinthians 3:17 - 'where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom' - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2corinthians/3?17.
St. Francis' Admonitions: https://sacred-texts.com/chr/wosf/wosf03.htm
00:00 - Introduction
00:12 - Humanity's Role in God's Plan
00:39 - Previously Discussed God and Christ
00:59 - Humans Created in Time by God's Will
01:49 - Redemption Reestablishes Spiritual Link
02:58 - Levels of God, Christ, and Humanity
04:29 - Incarnation Illuminates Human Mystery
05:32 - Franciscan Optimism Based on Creation
06:23 - Higher Than Any Other Creature
07:03 - Understanding Ourselves as God Sees Us
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
and the subsection "Man in Franciscan Spirituality."
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.
Mass: St. Frances Xavier Cabrini - Mem - http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=278
Readings: Monday 32nd Week of Ordinary Time - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/111323.cfm
1st: wis 1:1-7
Resp: psa 139:1-10
Gsp: luk 17:1-6
More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=742&r=1547
Also on Facebook: https://fb.watch/oh-f1hDdTQ/
and YouTube: https://youtu.be/_KOS_zhFnvQ
