FS #74: Nature in Franciscan Spirituality, Part 4 – May 29 – Homily – Fr Terrance

 

Fr Terrance gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on May 29, 2024, on St. Francis' unique appreciation of nature, urging us to see creation through purified faith. This is a continuation of his series on Franciscan spirituality and the subsection, "Nature in Franciscan Spirituality," emphasizing the Franciscan understanding and appreciation of nature and how it should lead us to God.

In this homily, Father reflects on St. Francis of Assisi's view of human nature and the human body within Franciscan spirituality. He highlights how St. Francis, contrasting with other less saintly spiritual movements, possessed a pure and evangelical appreciation of nature. St. Francis' journeys through various regions, including Umbria, Tuscany, Lombardy, and even Palestine, were marked by his desire for martyrdom and his profound admiration for creation. He saw nature not only as beautiful but as a means to perfection and an instrument for sanctity, ultimately leading him to contemplate the immensity and love of God.

Father describes how St. Francis’ view of nature was integrated into a holistic vision of the universe, seeing creation as a harmonious unity that reflects divine wisdom, akin to St. Bonaventure's understanding of Adam’s innocence in Eden. St. Francis perceived nature as an atrium of a great temple, a prelude to encountering the Creator, and as a symbolic expression of Christ. His followers, such as Friar Egidio, Friar Juniper, St. Anthony of Padua, and St. Bonaventure, continued this tradition, using nature in their spiritual and intellectual endeavors.

The homily also notes how the Franciscan love for creation extended into scientific observation with Roger Bacon and missionary explorations with figures like Giovanni of Pian del Carpine and John of Monte Corvino. During the Renaissance, figures like St. Bernardine of Siena and St. John of Capistrano upheld this tradition, which poet Jacopone da Todi encapsulated in his laude, emphasizing the unifying love of Christ.

Further Reading

• 1 John 4:16 - God is love and has loved us - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1john/4?16


• Acts 6:6 - The apostles prayed and laid hands on them - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/6?6


• CCC 2415 - Responsibility to care for creation - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2415.htm


• CCC 299 - God created the world to share his love - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/299.htm


• CCC 339 - Every creature possesses its own goodness and perfection - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/399.htm

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 "Nature 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.

00:00 - Introduction to Franciscan Spirituality
00:14 - St. Francis on Human Nature
00:29 - Unique Perspective on Nature
00:48 - Francis' Travels and Observations
01:41 - Spiritual Vision of Nature
02:37 - Francis' Wisdom and Intelligence
03:04 - Nature as Expression of Christ
03:36 - Legacy of Franciscan Followers
04:50 - St. Bonaventure's Teachings
05:53 - Franciscan Love for Creation
06:32 - Missionary Explorers
07:04 - Franciscans in Humanism and Renaissance

Ave Maria!

Mass: St. Paul VI - Opt Mem - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Paul_VI
Readings: Wednesday 8th Week of Ordinary Time - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/052924.cfm
1st: 1pe 1:18-25
Resp: psa 147:12-15, 19-20
Gsp: mar 10:32-45

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=5875&r=1609

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