Francis, the jester of God, after Grace had made him a new creature, preferred to the natural family the one given him by the Father of mercies. 

Indeed, without hesitation, before the bishop of Assisi and all the onlookers, he stripped himself naked as a sign of abandonment, adding:

"Hitherto I have called you my father on earth; from now on I can say with all confidence: Our Father, who art in heaven, for in Him I have placed all my treasure and placed all my trust and hope" (FF 1043).

As if to say: «Did you not know that I must care for the things of my Father?» (Lk 2:49).

An eloquent response to the old world that let languish in its solace, preferring to taste the sweetness breathed at home in Nazareth.

Francis is in tune with the Holy Family: both in the personal and community dimensions developed around him.

In fact, he was nourished by poverty and simplicity, growing in age, Wisdom and Grace, before God and his beloved brothers.

He was submissive to every brother and sowed everywhere that extraordinary infused Wisdom, which comes to him from above, pure and yielding.

Mary accompanies him everywhere.

He clung to her at every important event, so much so that he called her the Advocate of the Order, she who had made our brother the Lord of Majesty.

And no less was Clare a part of the unique, silent Family of God, so fully that she received as a gift [by then ill and no longer able to go to church] to participate meaningfully in the Christmas Liturgy.

The Father of Mercies and the entire Nazarethian Family were with her. 

The Sources inform us:

"At that hour of Christmas (1252), when the world rejoices with the angels for the newborn Child, all the Women set out for Matins to the place of prayer, leaving the Mother alone burdened with her infirmity. 

And as she began to think of the little Jesus and was very sorry that she could not participate in the singing of his praises, she sighed and said to him:

"Lord God, here I am left alone for You!"

And suddenly the wonderful concert that was going on in the church of St Francis began to ring in her ears.

She heard the brothers psalm in jubilation, followed the harmonies of the singers, even perceived the sound of instruments.

The place was nowhere near enough to humanly perceive those sounds: either that solemn celebration was made divinely audible to her, or her hearing was strengthened beyond all human possibility.

Indeed, which surpasses this prodigy of hearing, she was worthy to see even the Lord's crib.

When, in the morning, the daughters came to her, the blessed Clare said:

"Blessed be the Lord Jesus Christ, who did not leave me alone, when you abandoned me!

I have indeed heard, by the Grace of Christ, all those ceremonies that were celebrated this night in the church of St Francis" (FF 3212).

In the communities of Francis and Clare of Assisi, the spirit of the Family of Nazareth fermented, expert in suffering but also a place of genuine virtue. Clare, as 'another Mary', meditated in her heart on all the Mysteries of the Son of God.

Immaculate Heart of Mary (Lk 2:41-51)

In the liturgy of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we are presented with a passage from Luke in which the true Shepherd goes in search of the lost sheep, leaving the ninety-nine already safe.

Sheep can get lost in a thousand ways and in different contexts.

The life of Francis, the Poor Man, is full of unique episodes that attest to the breadth of a new heart, marked by Love, attesting to his being a merciful shepherd of souls.

At the beginning of their community life, the friars lived in Rivotorto, 3 km from the Porziuncola.

Here is what happened there one evening:

"One night, while the other sheep were sleeping, one of them began to cry out, 'I am dying, brothers, I am dying of hunger!'.

The wise shepherd got up immediately and hurried to bring the sick sheep the help it needed.

He ordered the table to be prepared, even if with simple food [...]

He himself began to eat first and invited the other friars to do the same, so that the poor creature would not be ashamed.

Taking the food with the fear of the Lord, so that the act of charity might be complete, the Father gave his sons a long discourse on the virtue of discretion.

He prescribed that they should always offer God a sacrifice seasoned with prudence, admonishing them wisely to take into account their own strength in divine service [...]

Then he added:

"My dear ones, know that what I have done in eating was not done out of greed, but out of dutiful attention and because fraternal charity required it of me.

Let charity be your example, not food, for food satisfies the appetite, but charity satisfies the spirit" (FF 608).

And again:

"One day, while walking near Siena, he came upon a large flock of sheep grazing.

As was his custom, he greeted them kindly, and they stopped grazing and ran to him, raising their heads and staring at him with their eyes raised.

They welcomed him so warmly that the friars and shepherds were amazed to see the lambs and even the rams jumping around him in such a wonderful way" (FF 1147- Leggenda maggiore).

Charity has a special scent, and all sheep recognise its fragrance.

«Which man among you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it?» (Lk 15:4)

Friday of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus - year C  (Lk 15:3-7)

In the passage proposed by the Liturgy of the day, Jesus calls us to concretely do his will, to be like a dwelling founded on his Rock, resisting rain and wind.

Brother Francis loved doing God's will deeply, so much so that it was his true consolation.

He was happy when he saw even among his brothers full adherence to the divine will, or at least repentance, where some act was a little reluctant.

The Sources, clear informants of authentic experience, document this and offer material for careful reflection.

"And they, receiving with great joy and gladness the precept of holy obedience, prostrated themselves before the blessed father, who, embracing them with tenderness and devotion, said to each one:

"Put your trust in the Lord and He will take care of you".

This phrase he repeated every time he sent some brothers to perform obedience" (FF 367).

The Poor Man of Assisi, even in the face of a great accumulation of evils and trials, testified to his incomparable adherence to the divine will, like another Job.

We read with emotion:

"But no matter how agonising his sorrows were, he did not call them sufferings, but sisters.

[...] And though exhausted by long and severe infirmity, he threw himself on the ground, beating his bones weakened in the crude fall.

Then he kissed the earth, saying:

"I thank thee, Lord God, for all these pains of mine, and I beseech thee, O my Lord, to give me a hundred times more, if it pleases thee so.

I will be most content, if Thou dost afflict me and spare me no sorrow, for to fulfil Thy will is for me exceeding consolation'" (FF 1239).

And when the time came for his departure:

"Lying on the earth, after having laid down his sackcloth, he lifted his face to heaven, according to his habit, totally intent on that heavenly glory, while with his left hand he covered the wound on his right side, that it might not be seen.

And he said to the brothers: "I have done my part; may Christ teach you yours" (FF 1239).

Francis, the Little One of Assisi, drew good from his new heart. He had built his spiritual edifice on the Rock of Christ.

In fact, the Sources bring us an episode that testifies to this:

"After some months had passed, Francis was staying at the church of the Portiuncula, and was near the cell that rises after the house, along the street, when that friar returned to speak to him about the psalter.

Francis said to him: "Go, and do as your minister tells you.

At these words, he began to return the way he had come.

But the Saint, who remained on the road, began to reflect on what he had said, and suddenly cried out after him:

"Wait for me, brother, wait for me!".

He went up to him and said:

"Come back with me, brother, and show me the place where I told you to do, concerning the psalter, what the minister will tell you."

When they arrived at that place, Francis bowed down before the friar and getting down on his knees said:

"My fault, brother, my fault! Whoever wants to be a minor must have only the cassock, the rope and the breeches, as the Rule says, and in addition the shoes, for those who are constrained by obvious necessity or illness".

To all the brothers who came to consult him on the subject, he gave the same answer.

And he used to say: 'AS MUCH AS A MAN KNOWS, AS MUCH AS HE DOES; AND AS MUCH AS A RELIGIOUS MAN IS A GOOD PREDICATOR, AS MUCH AS HE HIMSELF ACTS.

«Not everyone who says to me, "Lord, Lord!" will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven» (Mt 7:21)

Thursday of the 12th wk. in O.T.  (Mt 7,21-29)

Today's Gospel passage highlights the spiritual intelligence of those who, like Francis, place at the service of the Kingdom everything that the Most High has entrusted to them in their bare existence.

Those who have talents to invest in making the Gospel take root will find them increased by the Lord's long-suffering.

Francis, who called himself "simplex et idiota" (simple and stupid), changed completely after meeting Christ, and everything he had previously longed for ended up being detestable to him, while everything he had previously abhorred became sweetness for his soul.

Walking through the Franciscan sources, a chisel of events and of the Saint's deep and solid vocation, we read:

"Many, both noble and common, clerics and lay people, docile to divine inspiration, went to the Saint, eager to join him forever and follow his guidance.

And to all of them, like a rich source of heavenly grace, he gave the life-giving waters that make virtues blossom in the garden of the heart.

A truly glorious artist and master of evangelical life, through his example, his Rule and his teaching, the Church of Christ is renewed in its faithful, men and women, and the threefold militia of the elect triumphs" (FF 384).

We also learn that "he became a herald of the Gospel. He began, in fact, to travel through towns and villages, proclaiming the kingdom of God, not relying on persuasive words of human wisdom, but on the demonstration of the Spirit and of power [...]

From then on, the vineyard of Christ began to produce shoots fragrant with the sweet smell of the Lord, and abundant fruits with sweet flowers of grace and holiness" (FF 1072).

The Poor Man of Assisi had made the gifts he received bear fruit in order to reach as many souls as possible through the power of the Spirit of God and to make known the saving value of the Word made flesh.

Saint Clare, too, was a fruitful tree in her life, laden with good fruit, as Pope Alexander defined her in the Bull of Canonisation "Clara claris praeclara" (1255).

"This was the tall tree, stretching towards the sky, with outstretched branches, which produced sweet fruits of religion in the field of the Church, and in whose pleasant and pleasant shade many followers flocked from all over, and still flock to taste its fruits" (FF 3294).

These are the eloquent sign of a life truly given to God and to their brothers and sisters.

«By their fruits you will recognise them [...] so every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit» (Mt 7:16-17)

Wednesday of the 12th week in Ordinary Time  (Mt 7:15-20)

The Liturgy relating to the Birth of the Baptist examines a Lucan passage where the people's question, faced with this event, is:

«What then will become of this child?» (Lk 1:66).

Like the Baptist, Francis was also called John at the baptismal font.

We find clues of recall in his life so particularly prophetic and, between the folds of his meagre existence, we discover admirable vocational assonances with the Friend of the Bridegroom.

The Sources help us in this regard.

In them we read:

"The servant and friend of the Most High, Francis, was given this name by divine Providence, so that by his originality and novelty the fame of his mission might spread more easily throughout the world.

His mother had called him John, when he was reborn of water and the Holy Spirit, and from a son of wrath had become a son of grace*.

A mirror of righteousness, that woman presented in her conduct, as it were, a visible sign of his virtue.

In fact, she was made to share, as a privilege, a certain resemblance to the ancient Saint Elizabeth, both in terms of the name she bestowed on her son, and also in terms of her prophetic spirit.

When neighbours expressed their admiration for Francis' generosity of spirit and moral integrity, she would repeat, almost divinely inspired:

"What do you think he will become, this son of mine? Know that by his merits he will become a son of God.

[...] Therefore, the name of John corresponds to the mission he then carried out, that of Francis to his fame, which soon spread everywhere after his full conversion to God.

Above the feast of any other saint, he held that of John the Baptist to be most solemn, whose distinguished name had imprinted in his soul a sign of arcane power.

Among those born of women there arose none greater than this, and none more perfect than this among the founders of religious orders" (FF 583).

Francis put all his enthusiasm into understanding and realising the promptings of Grace: to announce the perfection of the Gospel, preaching penance to all, with simplicity.

And since for the Poverello the voice of the smallest, in the fraternity, had the same weight as the voice of the great, indeed it was privileged, in the Spirit, for that priority given to the smallest by the Gospel, the Lord took him at his word for that he made himself the least in everything and among everyone.

"Often the Lord manifests what is best to the least" (Reg. c. IV. 18).

In him was realised the admirable wisdom of the Gospel, namely that in heaven, despite the greatness of the Baptist, the smallest is greater than he!

* Francis was baptised in the church of Santa Maria del Vescovado. The baptistery was later moved to the cathedral of San Rufino, where it still stands today.

Nativity of St John the Baptist  (Lk 1:57-66.80)

Francis, the Poor Man of Assisi, believed deeply in the Merciful Love and Patience of Christ. He could not bear to judge people without appeal.

He was always righteous and merciful towards others, though much less so towards himself.

There are many passages about this in the Sources. We read:

'Oh, how worthy of compassion is our foolishness!

Not only do we not lift up or support the weak, but sometimes we push them to fall.

We consider it of no importance to take a sheep from the Supreme Shepherd, for whom he cried out with tears on the Cross.

But you, holy Father, preferred to amend the erring and not lose them [...]" (FF 763).

The friars themselves had been taught to restrain their tongues:

"They were relentless judges of themselves, careful not to harm one another in any way.

If a brother happened to utter a word that could hurt someone, his remorse would not allow him to rest until he confessed his mistake" (FF 1448-1449).

Furthermore, Francis "insisted that the brothers should not judge anyone, and should not look with contempt on those who live in luxury and dress with exaggerated refinement and pomp.

God is our Lord and theirs, and he has the power to call them to himself and make them righteous" (FF 1469).

Guardian of the marginalised, Francis the Minim, poured out on everyone the gratuitousness he had received from Christ.

A man of indomitable faith, he embraced even the marginalised, going far beyond any judgement or stereotypical mentality.

In the Regula Bullata, addressing his friars, he said:

"I admonish you [...] and exhort you not to despise or judge men who are clothed in soft and colourful garments and use delicate food and drink, but rather let each one judge and despise himself" (FF 81).

And even more so in his Admonitions, he urged them to beware of judging priests.

"And woe to those who despise them.

Even if they are sinners, no one should judge them, for the Lord has expressly reserved to himself the right to judge them.

Indeed, the greater the ministry they perform in the most holy body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which they alone receive and administer to others, the greater the sin of those who sin against them, than if they sinned against all other men in this world" (FF176).

«Do not judge, so that you will not be judged, for with the judgement you use, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you» (Mt 7:1-2)

Monday of the 12th wk. in Ordinary Time  (Mt 7:1-5)

On this solemn Sunday of Corpus Christi, the liturgy offers us a passage from Luke about the multiplication of loaves for a huge crowd.

Jesus says to his disciples:

«Give them to eat yourselves» (Lk 9:13).

Francis was in love with France, not because his mother, Monna Pica, came from that country, but because of the flourishing Eucharistic cult, about which he had been informed by James of Vitry, a convinced supporter.

When he went into the woods or was particularly cheerful, he often sang praises in French.

The Sources inform us about his visceral devotion to the Body of Christ.

In Celano's Second Life, we read:

"He burned with love in every fibre of his being for the sacrament of the Body of the Lord, overcome with amazement at such benevolent condescension and generous charity.

He considered it a grave sign of contempt not to participate in the Eucharist, even if it was only once, if time permitted.

He received Communion often and with such devotion that he made others devout as well.

In fact, being filled with reverence for this venerable sacrament, he offered the sacrifice of all his limbs, and when he received the immolated Lamb, he immolated his spirit in that fire which always burned on the altar of his heart.

For this reason, he loved France, a land devoted to the Body of the Lord, and desired to die there because of his veneration for the sacred mysteries.

One day he wanted to send the friars out into the world with precious ciboria, so that they might place the price of redemption in the most worthy place possible, wherever they saw it kept with little decorum" (FF 789).

"He wanted great respect to be shown to the hands of the priest, because they have been given the divine power to consecrate this sacrament.

"If I should happen," he often said, "to meet a saint coming from heaven and a poor priest, I would first greet the priest and run to kiss his hands.

For I would say: 'Wait, St. Lawrence*, for this man's hands touch the Word of life and possess superhuman power'" (FF 790).

And St. Clare, faced with a shortage of bread in the monastery, obtained by grace the ability to multiply it.

"There was only one loaf of bread in the monastery, and the hour of dinner was approaching and hunger was pressing.

Calling the dispenser, the Saint ordered her to divide the bread and send part of it to the friars, keeping the other part inside for the sisters.

From this second half, she ordered fifty slices to be cut, which was the number of women, and to present them to them on the table of poverty.

And to the devout daughter who replied,

"It would take the ancient miracles of Christ to cut so little bread into fifty slices," the Mother replied, saying to her:

"Do as I say, daughter!"

The daughter hastened to carry out her mother's command, and the Mother hastened to offer pious sighs to her Christ for her daughters.

And by divine grace, that small amount grew in the hands of the woman who broke it, so that there was an abundant portion for each member of the community" (FF 3189).

The love of Francis and Clare

for the Body and Blood of Christ made them directly participants in that Sacred Mystery.

* St. Lawrence was only a deacon, like Francis.

Sunday of the Body and Blood of Christ C  (Lk 9:11b-17)

Jesus focuses on relying on Providence:

«Look at the birds of the air: for they neither sow nor reap in barns, and your heavenly Father feeds them» (Mt 6:26).

Francis and Clare of Assisi were truly the 'entrusted to Providence', precisely as an evangelical way of life, since faith had made them 'hands open to the blessings of the Lord' - without worrying about tomorrow, which would take care of itself.

In the Sources there are passages worthy of reflection in this regard.

In the Major Legend:

"When, as time went on, the brothers had become very numerous, the thoughtful pastor began to gather them together in the place of St Mary of the Portiuncula for the General Chapter, in which he could assign to each one of them a portion of obedience in the kingdom of the poor, according to the measure willed by God.

At the Portiuncula there was a shortage of everything; but, although at times a multitude of more than five thousand brothers would gather there, the help of the Divine Goodness was never lacking, who provided enough for all and granted to all health of body and superabundant joy of spirit" (FF1080).

And again, in the Perugine Legend:

"We who have lived with him have heard him say on several occasions that word from the Gospel: the foxes have their lair and the birds of the air their nest, but the son of man has nowhere to lay his head.

And he continued:

"The Lord, when he stood apart to pray and fasted forty days and forty nights, did not have a cell or a house prepared for him, but sheltered himself under the rocks of the mountain.

Thus, following the example of the Lord, he did not want to have either house or cell in this world, nor did he want them built for him.

On the contrary, if the recommendation escaped him:

"Prepare this cell for me like this", he did not want to dwell in it afterwards, in obedience to the Word of the Gospel: do not worry" (FF 1559).

Clare herself entrusted herself to Providence in need, praying.

"One day there was a complete lack of oil for the handmaids of Christ, to the point that there was none even for dressing the sick.

Donna Chiara took a vase and, master of humility, washed it herself with her own hands; then she set the empty vase aside for the begging brother to come and get it [...].

The devout brother hastens to succour such great indigence and runs to fetch the vase.

But it does not depend on the will of man nor on the efforts of the one who runs, but on God who uses mercy.

In fact, by God's intervention alone, that vase finds itself filled with oil: St Clare's prayer prevented, to the relief of the poor daughters, the friar's service.

Actually, that friar, believing he had been called for nothing, muttering to himself said:

"To mock me these women have called me! For behold, the vessel is full" (FF 3190 - Legend).

God always goes before with his mercy!

Trusting in God, the Saints of Assisi gained awareness of their call entrusted to the Lord.

Saturday of the 11th wk. in O.T.  (Mt 6,24-34)

Jesus exhorts not to accumulate treasures on earth, soon to be consumed, but in God because they are eternal.

In the Sources, the theme of not accumulating is at home, since Francis, throughout his life, thought only of returning what he had received, starting with his father to whom he "returned" even his clothes, following 'naked' the path of poverty, his coveted wealth.

The Minim had his mind and heart turned to God and sought only the Kingdom of heaven, in simplicity and purity of heart. Testimony to this is given to us by one of several passages from the Franciscan Sources.

We read:

"These visits to the lepers increased his goodness. Leading one of his companions, whom he loved very much, to an out-of-the-way place, he told him that he had discovered a great and precious treasure.

He was overjoyed and willingly joined Francis when invited.

He would often lead him to a cave near Assisi; he would enter it alone, leaving his friend outside, impatient to get hold of the treasure [...].

Animated by an extraordinary new spirit, he prayed in secret to the Father [...].

He suffered unspeakable suffering and anguish in his heart, for he could not be serene until he had realised his vocation' (FF 1409).

On his way, in the middle of winter, in Celano, the Poverello gave a little old woman his cloak.

He said to her:

"Go, make yourself a dress, that you really need it" (FF 673).

And Clare, in her letters, writing to her spiritual daughter, Agnes of Bohemia, states:

"You who have preferred poverty to temporal riches, and have entrusted your treasures, rather than to earth, to heaven, where neither rust corrodes them, nor woodworm consumes them, nor thieves discover them or steal them, you will receive abundant reward in heaven [...]" (FF 2866).

The theme of wealth to be shared, of 'not withholding' and 'giving back' to God and to one's brothers and sisters, was very much felt by Francis of Assisi; one of the guiding motives of his journey of faith.

In the Sources we read:

"Once, while returning from Siena, he met a poor man. It happened that Francis, because of illness, was wearing a cloak over his clothes.

Looking with merciful eyes at the man's misery, he said to his companion:

"We must return the cloak to this poor man: for it is his. For we have received it on loan, until we should happen to find someone poorer than ourselves'.

The companion, however, considering the state in which the pitiful father found himself, opposed a clear refusal: he had no right to forget himself, in order to provide for another.

But the saint:

"I believe that the Great Elector will accuse me of theft, if I do not give what I wear to those most in need" " (FF 1143).

«Do not store up treasures on earth» (Mt 6:19)

Friday of the 11th wk. in O.T.  (Mt 6,19-23)