FS 106 – Holy Mother Church, Part 1 – Jan 21 – Homily – Fr Terrance

 

Fr Terrance gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Jan 21, 2025, how Franciscan Spirituality, like all authentic Catholic spirituality, must be rooted in and approved by the Church, emphasizing St. Francis's profound reverence for the Church and its priests as bearers of Christ's presence.

Father discusses how salvation comes through the Church (CCC 846), reflecting the essential relationship between spirituality and Church authority. He references St. Irenaeus's teaching that echoes themes from (Acts 2: 38) regarding the Holy Spirit's presence in the Church. The homily explores how Franciscan spirituality, like the seamless garment of Christ (John 19: 23), enriches the Church's traditions. Father emphasizes the Church as Christ's Bride (Ephesians 5: 25-27), explaining how authentic spirituality must be "grafted" into the Church's heart, reminiscent of Jesus's teaching about the vine and branches (John 15: 5). He discusses St. Francis's Testament, which shows profound reverence for priests who administer the Body and Blood of Christ (Matthew 26: 26-28), even comparing his wisdom to Solomon's (1 Kings 3: 12). The talk concludes by emphasizing unity with the Church, reflecting Paul's teaching about one body in Christ (1 Corinthians 12: 12-13).

For Further Reading
Catechism of the Catholic Church #846 - Outside the Church No Salvation - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/846.htm
Catechism of the Catholic Church #797 - The Church and the Holy Spirit - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/797.htm
Catechism of the Catholic Church #1413 - The Real Presence in the Eucharist - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/1413.htm
John 6:54 - NAB - Eternal Life Through the Eucharist - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/6?54
1 Timothy 2:5) - NAB - One Mediator Between God and Men - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1timothy/2?5

This is a continuation of his series on Franciscan spirituality, and starting a new subsection, "Holy Mother Church," explaining how the goal of Franciscan spirituality, union with God, is to be achieved within the Church. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNN151zTIO4&list=PLejh_e0-LN4xgMllKrzSasL2Hljd5BHom . 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
00:15 - Salvation Through the Church
01:05 - Catholic Spiritualities and Development
01:56 - Church Submission and Spiritual Growth
02:47 - Christ-Centered Franciscan Spirituality
03:17 - Mystery of Christ and Church
03:35 - St. Francis's View of Church
05:03 - Final Prayer and Reflection

Ave Maria!

Mass: St. Agnes - Mem - http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=106
Readings: Tuesday 2nd Week of Ordinary Time - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/012125.cfm
1st: heb 6:10-20
Resp: psa 111:1-2, 4-5, 9-10
Gsp: mar 2:23-28

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1017&r=1366

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