FS #95: End Game, Part 9 – Sep 24 – Homily – Fr Terrance

 

Fr Terrance gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Sep 24, 2024, on how

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

The ultimate goal of Franciscan Spirituality is mystical union with God. Father pointed out that this path is open to everyone, with the Franciscan soul primarily focused on loving God more deeply and intimately. This involves detaching from worldly distractions, mortifying the senses, and nurturing a profound trust in God's will. Father explained that this detachment strengthens both our love for God and for others, creating a purer love. He highlighted that the pillars of Franciscan spirituality are love and poverty, with poverty serving to remove obstacles to love, allowing the soul to be shaped in God's likeness through love.

Father spoke of the influence of St. Bonaventure, who drew on theological reflection and personal experience, but he emphasized that it was St. Francis of Assisi who exemplified the Franciscan spiritual life. St. Francis had a mystical temperament, always attuned to God, even when faced with bodily needs, life events, or the beauty of creation. Father explained that this mystical spirit has been passed down through generations of Franciscans, respecting the uniqueness of each person. He mentioned key figures such as St. Bonaventure, St. Angela of Foligno, and St. Bernardine of Siena, among others, noting their diverse approaches to mysticism yet unified by their deep experience of God.

Father concluded by encouraging the congregation to ask Our Lady for the grace to deepen their Franciscan spirituality, which ultimately leads to a more Christ-like life.

For Further Reading:
St. John 17: 21 - Christ’s prayer for unity with God - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/17?21
CCC 2546 - Poverty in spirit and the Kingdom - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2546.htm - Video: https://airmaria.com/2014/09/12/video-tour-of-the-catechism-51-life-in-the-spirit/
CCC 2711 - The experience of prayer and union with God - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2711.htm - Video: https://airmaria.com/2014/09/19/video-tour-of-the-catechism-52-experience-of-prayer/
CCC 2015 - The call to perfection and holiness - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2015.htm - Video: https://airmaria.com/2014/09/12/video-tour-of-the-catechism-51-life-in-the-spirit/
Catholic Answers - God’s Love for You - God’s love for humanity - https://www.catholic.com/tract/gods-love-for-you
Catholic Answers - Celibacy and the Priesthood - The importance of celibacy - https://www.catholic.com/tract/celibacy-and-the-priesthood

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
00:07 – Mystical Union as the Goal
00:14 – Love and Detachment in Franciscan Life
00:34 – Renouncing Worldly Attachments for God
00:56 – Mortification and Trust in God
01:46 – Detachment Strengthens Pure Love
02:32 – St. Francis and Mystical Spirituality
05:52 – Contributions of Franciscan Mystics

Ave Maria!

Mass: Tuesday in the 25th Week in Ordinary Time - Wkdy
Readings:  - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/092424.cfm
1st: pro 21:1-6, 10-13
Resp: psa 119:1, 27, 30, 34, 35, 44
Gsp: luk 8:19-21

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=949

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