FS #56: Man in Franciscan Spirituality, Part 2 – Nov 20 – Homily – Fr Terrance
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Fr Terrance gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Nov 20, 2023, on Franciscan Spirituality, continuing the subsection, "Man in Franciscan Spirituality," humanity's role in God's plan, here emphasizing the human body and how it is necessary for our complete humanity. The soul needs the body and the body needs the soul, to be truly human.
Franciscan spirituality has a unique understanding of the human essence, which encompasses both body and soul. Saint Bonaventure describes humans as rational, mortal animals, highlighting the union of material body and spiritual soul. This unity is essential for our completion and perfection.
Our bodies, as material substances, are complemented by souls, the lowest spiritual substances after God and angels. This mutual dependence is vital for our existence; separation leads to incompleteness. Franciscan thought emphasizes the importance of both physical and spiritual aspects in our lives, advocating for a balance where spirit dominates flesh, resonating with Saint Paul's teachings.
Father warns against living a dual life, being spiritually devout privately but secular in public, which Jesus cautioned against in the Gospels. Understanding our bodies and souls as a composite, we see how each aspect has its specific entity, yet they're made for each other. This understanding draws from Franciscan and scriptural insights, particularly from Genesis, where the creation narrative, Genesis 1:11, "Let the earth put forth vegetation" - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/genesis/1?11 and Genesis 1:20, - "Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures" - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/genesis/1?20, illustrates the progression of life forms culminating in humanity.
Humanity's special creation (Genesis 1:26, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness" - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/genesis/1?26,) signifies our aspiration towards the divine. This leads to the concept of the Incarnation, where God united with humanity in Jesus Christ, highlighting the significance of the human body and soul in the divine plan.
Saint Bonaventure sees the human body as the culmination of matter's organization, preparing it for union with the rational soul, ultimately leading back to God. This view opposes Plato's idea of the body as a prison, instead portraying it as a home for the spirit.
In conclusion, the homily encourages respect for our bodies as temples of the spirit, guided by Our Lady's grace, honoring Jesus and Mary.
00:00 – Introduction
00:14 – The dual nature of man – body and soul
01:59 – Need for harmony between body and soul
02:50 – Spirit must dominate flesh
03:33 – Avoid split personalities
03:57 – A closer look at our bodies
05:16 – Franciscan understanding of body and soul
06:15 – Genesis account and the creation of man
08:08 – God creates man for the incarnation
09:12 – Christ unites all creation
10:01 – Body prepares a home for the soul
11:19 – Respecting our bodies as God's temples
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: Monday 33rd Week of Ordinary Time - Wkdy
Readings: - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/112023.cfm
1st: 1ma 1:10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-63
Resp: psa 119:53, 61, 134, 150, 155, 158
Gsp: luk 18:35-43
More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1553
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