FS #88: End Game, Part 2 – Aug 13 – Homily – Fr Terrance

 

Fr Terrance gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Aug 13, 2024, on how the gradual, grace-filled journey of spiritual life, emphasizing the importance of openness to God's work within us as we grow in holiness. This is a continuation of his series on Franciscan spirituality and the subsection, "End Game," the final goal of all spirituality, union with God.

When discussing the mystical life, Father clarifies that it’s important to exclude extraordinary phenomena like raptures and ecstasies, as these are secondary to the essence of the mystical life. In spiritual theology, the ascetical life is characterized by human effort and the acquisition of virtue, while the mystical life is marked by the manifestations of union with God, particularly through "infused contemplation."

Father explains that the ascetical life involves more active human participation, similar to Martha's role in the Gospel, while the mystical life is more passive and receptive to grace, like Mary (Luke 10:38-42 -  https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/10?38). However, Father argues that the distinction between the ascetical and mystical lives is not substantial since both are fundamentally grounded in God's grace, which is essential from the very beginning of the spiritual life (John 15:5 - Without me you can do nothing - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/15?5).

Father emphasizes that our spiritual journey begins with God's grace, as God is always the first to act (Philippians 2:13 - God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/philippians/2?13). As we grow spiritually, our cooperation with grace becomes more conscious, and our interior life increasingly conforms to Christ (Galatians 2:20 - I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/galatians/2?20).

Father reminds us that spiritual growth is a slow and gradual process, similar to a tree growing (Mark 4:26-29 - The parable of the growing seed - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/4?26). Just as a tree needs sunlight, water, and good soil, our spiritual life requires fidelity to the Lord's commandments, worthy reception of the sacraments, prayer, and good works (Matthew 7:24-27 - The wise man who built his house on the rock - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/7?24).

00:00 - Introduction to Franciscan Spirituality
00:14 - Defining Mystical Life
00:27 - Excluding Extraordinary Phenomena
00:53 - Ascetical vs. Mystical Life
01:46 - Human Effort vs. Divine Grace
02:31 - Role of God's Grace
03:39 - Gradual Spiritual Growth
05:04 - Integration of Ascetical and Mystical

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 "End Game," the goal of union with God.

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: Pontian and Hippolytus - Opt Mem - http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=5545
Readings: Tuesday in the 19th Week in Ordinary Time - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/081324.cfm
1st: eze 2:8-3:4
Resp: psa 119:14, 24, 72, 103, 111, 131
Gsp: mat 18:1-5, 10, 12-14

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1133&r=912

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