Jesus invites all to discern the signs inherent in nature, to give criterion to the last ones. When the fig tree buds, the season of fruit is near.

Thus Francis, a true lover and imitator of Him, reads in his own life and that of his brothers the offshoots of the Kingdom of God that is approaching, before events that speak the language of the Creator Himself.

In the Sources we find passages that indicate the signs of the growth of every believer, like the tree that sprouts and produces fruit:

"We are spouses, when the faithful soul is united to our Lord Jesus Christ by virtue of the Holy Spirit.

We are his brothers, when we do the will of the Father who is in heaven.

We are mothers, when we bear him in our heart and body through divine love and pure and sincere conscience, we generate him through holy works, which must shine out to others as an example" (FF 168/2. Letter to the Faithful).

Well, «when you see these things happening, know that the Kingdom of God is at hand»!

Francis also reads in his illness and death the approaching Kingdom of God.

He raises his head and thus addresses his own:

"Then the Saint lifted up his hands to Heaven, glorifying his Christ, because he could go to Him without hindrance of any kind.

But to show that in everything he was a perfect imitator of Christ his God, he loved to the end his brothers and sons whom he had loved from the beginning [...].

Then, while all the brothers were around him, he stretched out his right hand over them and placed it on the head of each one, beginning with his vicar:

"Farewell," he said, "all you my sons, live in the fear of the Lord and keep yourselves in it always!

And since the hour of trial and tribulation draws near, blessed are those who persevere in what they have undertaken!

For I hasten to God and commend you all to his grace'.

And he also blessed all the brothers, wherever they were in the world, and those who would come after them until the end of the ages" (FF 806).

«When they have already sprouted, behold, by yourselves you know that summer is already near» (Lk 21:31)

Friday, 34th wk. in O.T.  (Lk 21,29-33)

Today's Gospel tells of the ultimate signs foretold by Christ.

Francis, who had experience of signs, lived his earthly pilgrimage uninterruptedly directed towards the manifestation of Christ and thus working for the good of his brothers and sisters.

Everything would crumble and in the end a single banner would continue to fly: the Cross of Christ, the ultimate sign and victory of the Risen One.

In the light of all this, Francis seemed to contrast the signs that would be manifested in the moon, the sun, the stars, the anxiety of peoples in anguish... with the one sign around which Christian existence revolves: the Cross through which the world has been redeemed.

In the Sources, then, we find passages that explain and support what has been said.

"And we give you thanks, because your Son himself will return in the glory of his majesty to consign the reprobate, who did not do penance and did not know you, to eternal fire, and to say to all those who knew you and adored you and served you in penance: Come blessed by my Father, enter into possession of the kingdom, which has been prepared for you from the beginning of the world [...]" (FF 65).

And so Francis, the Minim "chose to live for all, rather than for himself alone, spurred on by the example of Him who deigned to die, He alone, for all men" (FF 1066).

And all this together with his brothers "concerned to refresh themselves more with the bread of tears than with the bread of abundance" (FF 1067).

Yes, there will be many signs in the universe at the full manifestation of Christ, but only one will stand undisturbed: his redemptive and transforming Holy Cross.

To his brothers, therefore, he taught:

"When you pray, say: Our Father, and: We adore you, O Christ, in all your churches that are in the whole world, and we bless you, because through your holy cross you have redeemed the world" (FF 1068).

«And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars, and on earth anguish of nations in bewilderment by the roaring of the sea and the waves» (Lk 21:25)

Thursday, 34th wk. in O.T.  (Lk 21,20-28)

Today's Gospel passage speaks of persecution and hatred towards the witnesses of Jesus.

The Poor Man of Assisi, having known Christ, well knew that following in His footsteps would also entail insults and persecution, starting with his family.

In fact, the people of Assisi and his father, a shrewd merchant, could not bear his radical change, and thought him mad.

But Francis, Herald of Christ, did not let himself be intimidated, guided by divine Wisdom, which suggests to those who welcome it every response appropriate to the moment.

The Franciscan Sources, a place of special evangelical training, narrate:

"One day, inflamed with enthusiasm, the Saint left the cave and set out towards Assisi, lively, quick-witted and joyful.

Armed with confidence in Christ and inflamed with heavenly love, he reproached himself for cowardice and vain trepidation, and boldly decided to expose himself to the hands and blows of his persecutors.

At the first sight of him, those who knew him as he was before, began to insult him, shouting that he was a madman and a fool, throwing mud and stones at him.

Seeing him so changed, exhausted by penances, they attributed his change to exhaustion and dementia.

But the Knight of Christ passed through that storm without paying any attention to it, not allowing himself to be struck and agitated by the insults, giving thanks to God instead.

News of what was happening spread through the squares and streets of the city, until it came to the ears of his father.

Hearing how they were mistreating him, he immediately went out to get him, intending not to free him but to end it.

Out of his mind, he pounced on him like a wolf on a sheep, and staring at him with grim eyes and a face contracted in fury, he seized him and dragged him home.

There he locked him up in a dark cubbyhole for several days, doing everything, with words and blows, to bring him back to worldly vanity" (FF 1417).

But "Francis did not let himself be moved neither by words, nor by chains, nor by beatings. He endured everything with patience, indeed becoming more agile and stronger in following his ideal" (FF 1418).

«Now before all these things they will lay their hands on you and persecute you by delivering you to synagogues and prisons» (Lk 21:12).

«And you will be hated by all because of my name» (Lk 21:17).

Wednesday 34th wk in O.T.  (Lk 21,12-19)