FS #94: End Game, Part 8 – Sep 23 – Homily – Fr Terrance

 

Fr Terrance gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Sep 23, 2024, on how the mystical union with God is the goal of all spiritual life, and it’s a call for everyone to embrace holiness, not just a privileged few.

This is a continuation of his series on Franciscan spirituality and the subsection, "End Game," the final goal of all spirituality, union with God. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNN151zTIO4&list=PLejh_e0-LN4xgMllKrzSasL2Hljd5BHom

Father reflects on Franciscan spirituality, emphasizing that the goal of our spiritual life is to achieve mystical union with God. According to St. Bonaventure, grace plays a crucial role by orienting our souls toward God, drawing us closer to Him like a magnet. This grace starts working from the moment of our justification, and through the theological virtues and the gifts of the Holy Spirit, it provides a mystical orientation.

Father explains that while the term "mystical" often applies to the advanced spiritual stages, any life led in grace and charity is fundamentally mystical, even in everyday, virtuous actions. This idea extends to those engaged in active, worldly duties, as everyone is called to live a mystical life.

Father dismisses the belief that only a few privileged souls are called to the mystical path. He stresses that all are called to holiness and perfection, as Jesus commanded in Matthew 5:48, "Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matthew 5:48 - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/5?48) and that God desires sanctification for all, as expressed in 1 Thessalonians 4:3, "This is the will of God, your sanctification" (1 Thessalonians 4:3 - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1thessalonians/4?3).

The homily encourages believers not to settle for mediocrity in their spiritual lives. God calls each of us to aspire to greatness in sanctity and union with Him. Father also highlights the duty of every Christian to pursue mystical union with God, drawing inspiration from saints like St. Pio of Pietrelcina. Following Jesus' call to "Follow Me" means striving to imitate Christ fully.

He concludes by urging the faithful to rely on God’s grace, commit themselves to spiritual growth, and ask the Blessed Virgin Mary for the grace to embrace this mystical calling.

For Further Reading:

Matthew 5:48 - "Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect" - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/5?48
1 Thessalonians 4:3 - "This is the will of God, your sanctification" - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1thessalonians/4?3
CCC 2013 - Universal call to holiness - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2013.htm
CCC 2028 - The call to perfection - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2028.htm
CCC 2558 - Prayer and striving for holiness - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2558.htm

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: St. Pio of Pietrelcina (Mt 11) - Feast - http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=311
Readings:  - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/092324.cfm
1st: jer 7:22-23
Resp: psa 15:1-2, 5, 7-8, 11
2nd: gal 6:14-18
Gsp: mat 11:25-30

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=2218

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