FS #98: The Means, Part 3 – Oct 21 – Homily – Fr Terrance

 

Fr Terrance gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Oct 21, 2024, on how Franciscan poverty is a liberating and peaceful path to detachment from material things, urging the faithful to trust fully in God.

This is a continuation of his series on Franciscan spirituality, starting with a new subsection, "The Means," which is the means to obtain the goals of spirituality, union with God. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNN151zTIO4&list=PLejh_e0-LN4xgMllKrzSasL2Hljd5BHom

Father reflected on the theme of poverty in the context of Franciscan spirituality, which was also echoed in today’s Gospel reading. He explained that Franciscans view poverty as a means of spiritual freedom, helping one rise above temporal concerns and move towards the eternal. Poverty, he emphasized, is essential for simplifying life, allowing people to use the world's goods without becoming enslaved by them. He criticized the modern term "consumer" as demeaning, comparing it to how animals are treated. He described poverty as the antidote to this consumerism, a path to heaven that provides peace and security.

St. Bonaventure described how St. Francis demanded poverty from his followers, that this would free them from fear and anxiety because they would have nothing to lose, relying completely on God’s providence.

The homily stressed that the creatures of the world are good since God created them (Genesis 1:31 - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/genesis/1?31). However, people become spiritually corrupted by greed when they cling to possessions, abusing them for evil. Like St. Francis, those who embrace poverty can love and respect creatures with a pure heart, unburdened by materialism. Father quoted St. Francis, warning friars not to despise those with wealth but to examine their own attachments (Luke 12:15 - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/12?15).

The homily concluded by encouraging the faithful to practice spiritual poverty, detaching their hearts from worldly things and striving to follow the example of St. Francis and the Holy Family (Matthew 6:19-21 - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/6?19). He urged all to cultivate a desire for simplicity and humility in life. Father asked the congregation to call upon Our Lady for guidance in embracing the beauty of poverty, a virtue lived by her, Jesus, and St. Francis.

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.

For Further Reading:
Genesis 1:31 NAB - Creation is intrinsically good. - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/genesis/1?31
Luke 12:15 NAB - Warning against greed and materialism. - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/12?15
Matthew 6:19 NAB - Store treasures in heaven, not on earth. - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/6?19
CCC 2404 - Universal destiny of goods. - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2404.htm
CCC 2445 - Warning against attachment to riches. - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2445.htm
CCC 2545 - Christian detachment from material goods. - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2545.htm

00:00 - Introduction to Franciscan Poverty
00:27 - Liberty Through Poverty
00:41 - Simplification and Freedom from Consumerism
01:50 - Trust in Divine Providence
02:45 - Detachment from Worldly Goods
04:51 - The Spirit of Absolute Poverty

Ave Maria!

Mass: Monday in the 29th Week in Ordinary Time - Wkdy
Readings:  - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/102124.cfm
1st: eph 2:1-10
Resp: psa 100:2-5
Gsp: luk 12:13-21

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=973

Also on Facebook:
and YouTube: https://youtu.be/rYk2Tea4wMw