FS #101: The Means, Part 6 – Dec 02 – Homily – Fr Terrance
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Fr Terrance gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Dec 02, 2024, on how humility, as shown by St. Francis and Christ, is the path to God.
This is a continuation of his series on Franciscan spirituality, and the subsection, "The Means," as in the means to obtain the goals of spirituality, which is union with God. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNN151zTIO4&list=PLejh_e0-LN4xgMllKrzSasL2Hljd5BHom
Father reflects on humility, inspired by St. Francis of Assisi, as a path to closeness with God. St. Francis exemplified this virtue, believing himself to be the greatest sinner despite his evident sanctity. He demonstrated humility through self-discipline and teachings to his friars, emphasizing that true love and virtue stem from dying to oneself (cf. John 3:30). The Gospel reminds us that “whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:12 ). St. Paul’s words in Philippians 2:6-7 underscore Christ’s humility, who took the form of a servant (Philippians 2:6).
Father recounts how St. Francis taught that humility leads to grace, wisdom, and a fruitful apostolate. It combats pride and aligns us with Christ, allowing God’s power to shine through our weakness (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:29-31). He encourages all to embrace humility as a means of transformation and service, drawing on the example of Our Lady and Christ's unashamed embrace of the Cross.
For Further Reading:
John 3:30 NAB - "He must increase; I must decrease" - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/3?30
Matthew 23:12 NAB - "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled" - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/23?12
Philippians 2:6-7 NAB - Christ's humility as a servant - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/philippians/2?6
1 Corinthians 1:29-31 NAB - "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord" - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/1?29
CCC 2546 - The Beatitude of the Poor - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2546.htm
CCC 2712 - Prayer as humility - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2712.htm
CCC 459 - Conformity to Christ - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/459.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.
00:00 – Introduction to Franciscan Humility
00:10 – Humility: A Path to God
00:24 – St. Francis and Humble Self-Reflection
00:48 – The Role of Self-Discipline in Humility
01:50 – Lessons from Blessed Giles of Assisi
03:38 – Humility as a Way to Grace
04:33 – Practical Humility in Apostolic Work
05:56 – Christ’s Example of Humility
Ave Maria!
Mass: Monday in the 1st Week in Advent - Wkdy
Readings: - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/120224.cfm
1st: isa 2:1-5
Resp: psa 122:1-9
Gsp: mat 8:5-11
More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1246
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