FS 116 – The Fruits, Part 7 – Apr 07 – Homily – Fr Terrance
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Fr Terrance gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Apr 07, 2025, on how St. Francis found perfect joy through poverty, humility, and suffering for Jesus.
Father delves into St. Francis’ journey to perfect joy, a cornerstone of Franciscan spirituality. Initially a joyful youth, Francis’ nostalgia for the infinite blossomed through penance and grace, dying to worldly desires and birthing a new joy rooted in "Lady Poverty." This spouse, unlike the revelries of his past, freed him from greed and pride, as he became the "herald of the great King." Joy flowed from humility, his willingness to beg, and daily work offered to God, purifying the soul (CCC 1472). Perfect joy also sprang from battling temptation, aligning with St. Paul’s glory in tribulation (Romans 5:3), and uniting with Jesus’ passion (2 Corinthians 12:9). Father highlights the "fioretto of perfect joy" from the Flowers of St. Francis, echoing St. Paul’s words, “With all our affliction, I wrinkle overjoyed” (2 Corinthians 7:4). Suffering for Christ, Father explains, rejuvenates the soul, a paradox pagans cannot grasp. This joy shines in ordinary life—monotonous duties reflecting God’s will (CCC 901)—and elevates the spirit, drawing us closer to redemption. Father urges us to seek this grace through Our Lady, embracing crosses as St. Francis did, finding joy amid exile. Optimized for SEO, this homily reveals how poverty, humility, and the cross unlock Franciscan joy, grounded in scripture and tradition.
For Further Reading:
Romans 5:3 - NAB - Glory in Tribulations - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/romans/5?3
2 Corinthians 12:9 - NAB - Power in Weakness - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2corinthians/12?9
2 Corinthians 7:4 - NAB - Joy Amid Affliction - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2corinthians/7?4
Catechism of the Catholic Church #1472 - Purification of Sin - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c2a4.htm#1472
Catechism of the Catholic Church #901 - Offering Daily Duties - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p123a9p4.htm#901
Catechism of the Catholic Church #2546 - Poverty of Heart - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s2c2a0.htm#2546
00:00 – Introduction
00:10 – Meaning of Perfect Joy
00:25 – St. Francis’s Early Life
01:10 – Conversion and New Joy
01:25 – Embracing Lady Poverty
03:03 – Humility and Daily Detachment
04:03 – Suffering for the Love of Jesus
04:50 – Joy and Pain United in Christ
This is a continuation of his series on Franciscan spirituality and the subsection, "The Fruits," explaining the four fruits of Franciscan spirituality: interior freedom, holy simplicity, perfect joy, and the works of the apostolate.
Peace to allPlay List - 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.
Ave Maria!
Mass: Monday 5th Week of Lent - Wkdy
Readings: - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/040725.cfm
1st: dan 13:41-62
Resp: psa 23:1-6
Gsp: joh 8:1-11
More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1677
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