FS 108 – Holy Mother Church, Part 3 – Feb 03 – Homily – Fr Terrance

 

Fr Terrance gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Feb 03, 2025, where he continues his series on Franciscan Spirituality and explains St. Francis's profound reverence for Church authority and the three types of spiritual gifts while emphasizing the importance of remaining faithful to both the perennial and living Magisterium.

Father begins by exploring St. Francis's deep reverence for the Church hierarchy, rooted in his understanding of Christ's presence in the Church (CCC 669). He explains the three types of spiritual gifts: sanctifying gifts, which include the theological virtues mentioned in '1 Corinthians 13: 13', charismatic gifts referenced in '1 Corinthians 12: 7', and hierarchical gifts. The sanctifying gifts, including the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit found in 'Isaiah 11: 2-3', are bestowed at baptism (CCC 1266). Father discusses how St. Francis demonstrated exceptional respect for Church authority, citing Francis's interactions with Pope Honorius III and his establishment of the Cardinal Protector role. He emphasizes the importance of being faithful to both the perennial and living Magisterium, referencing 'Lumen Gentium 12' and the Church's teaching authority (CCC 85). The homily concludes with an analogy to Christ as the vine ('John 15: 5'), emphasizing the importance of remaining united with the Church.

For Further Reading:

Biblical References:
1 Corinthians 12: 7 - NAB - Spiritual gifts for common good - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/12?7
1 Corinthians 13: 13 - NAB - Faith, hope, and love remain - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/13?13
Isaiah 11: 2-3 - NAB - The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/11?2
John 15: 5 - NAB - Christ as the vine, we are the branches - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/15?5

Catechism References:
CCC 85 - The Church's Teaching Authority - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/85.htm
CCC 669 - Christ's Role in the Church - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/669.htm
CCC 1266 - Effects of Baptism - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/1266.htm

External Resources:
Vatican - Lumen Gentium Document - https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19641121_lumen-gentium_en.html#:~:text=12.%20The%20holy%20people%20of%20God

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
00:50 - Three Types of Spiritual Gifts
01:51 - Understanding Church Gifts
02:25 - Hierarchical Authority in Church
03:21 - St. Francis and Church Leadership
04:24 - Francis's Papal Encounters
06:02 - Franciscan Faithfulness to Living Magisterium
07:08 - Closing Thoughts and Prayer

Ave Maria!

Mass: St. Blase - Opt Mem - http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=28
Readings: Monday 4th Week of Ordinary Time - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/020325.cfm
1st: heb 11:32-40
Resp: psa 31:20-24
Gsp: mar 5:1-20

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1028&r=1377

Also on Facebook: https://fb.watch/xwB7-lH6MD/
and YouTube: https://youtu.be/65667qt9t0w