Eighth Counsel: Focus on the Good in Christ – Apr 15 – Homily – Fr Terrance

Fr. Terrance presents the eighth counsel for healthy spirituality: focus on the good, meaning centering our life on God, the supreme Good. Etymologically, "focus" derives from Latin for "hearth," the home's center. He cites Psalm 4:6, 2 Corinthians 4:18 ("fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen"), and parallels Plato's philosophy of the Good as the source of truth and reality with John's Gospel (John 1:4,9; 8:12), identifying Jesus as the light enlightening all. Focusing on Jesus enables miracles, as in Peter's walk on water (Matthew 14), preventing spiritual sinking amid distractions (Matthew 13). Eucharistic adoration exemplifies this. St. Paul, even in prison, urges dwelling on the true, honorable, pure, and lovely (Philippians 4:8), transforming us into Christ's likeness and blessing others. Humans naturally fixate on negatives, needing many positives to balance; the devil exploits this for turmoil. Contrast sin-centered spiritualities with grace-centered ones, seeing God's hand, as in Joseph's words (Genesis 50:20) and Romans 8:28. Pray for focus, seek consolation from the "God of all comfort" (2 Corinthians 1:3), and friends (John 15:15). Look for good in situations; others can help. Next homily on St. Thérèse.

Psalm 4:6 – Seek good in God's light – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/4?6
2 Corinthians 4:18 – Fix eyes unseen eternal – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2corinthians/4?18
Philippians 4:8 – Think true, pure, lovely – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/philippians/4?8
Genesis 50:20 – You meant evil, God meant good – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/genesis/50?20
Romans 8:28 – All things work for good – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/romans/8?28
CCC 309 – Providence permits evil for good – https://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p1s2c1p4.htm#309
CCC 2565 – Prayer fixes gaze Christ – https://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p4s1.htm#2565
CCC 2715 – Contemplation gaze on Jesus – https://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p4s1c3a1.htm#2715

00:00 - Introduction to Healthy Spirituality
00:36 - The Meaning of Focus
01:25 - Fixing Our Eyes on the Unseen
02:28 - Jesus as the True Light
03:12 - The Danger of Taking Our Eyes Off Christ
04:14 - Cultivating Habits of Goodness
05:39 - Overcoming the Tendency Toward Negativity
07:17 - Grace-Based vs. Fear-Based Spirituality
08:19 - Finding God's Goodness in Suffering
09:52 - Seeking Support and Conclusion