Francis, the Minim, in his writings repeatedly expresses himself admirably, inviting everyone, young and old, to the work par excellence of which Jesus speaks: Believing.
In fact, in the Sources we find this singular passage:
"And all those who wish to serve the Lord [...] priests [...] religious [...] the poor and the wretched, kings and princes, workers and peasants, servants and masters [...] young and old, the healthy and the sick, all the small and the great and all peoples, peoples, races and languages, all nations [...] all of us Friars Minor, useless servants, humbly pray and beg that we persevere in the true faith and penance, since no one can be saved in any other way" (FF 68).
"Nothing therefore hinders us, nothing separates us, nothing stands in our way.
And everywhere, all of us, in every place, at every hour and at every time, every day and unceasingly truly believe and humbly hold in our hearts and love, honour, adore and serve, praise and bless [...] let us give thanks to the Most High and Supreme Eternal God, Trinity and Unity, Father and Son and Holy Spirit, Creator of all things and Saviour of all who believe and hope in him" (FF71).
His faith was an example to his brothers and to those who contacted him, leaving plastic testimony of his belief in simplicity.
In the Vita seconda of Celano (biographer) we read:
"Being Francis in a hermitage near Rieti, he was visited every day by the doctor for the cure of his eyes.
Once the saint said to his companions: "Invite the doctor and prepare him a good meal".
"Father," replied the guardian, "we tell you with blushes, we are ashamed to invite him, so poor are we at this time.
"Perhaps you want me to repeat it to you?" insisted the saint.
The doctor was present and intervened: "I, dearest brothers, will esteem your penury a delight".
The brothers hurriedly placed what was in the pantry on the table: a little bread, not much wine, and to make the meal more sumptuous, the kitchen sent some pulses.
But the table of the Lord meanwhile moves to take pity on the servants' table. There is a knock at the door and they rush to open it; there is a woman carrying a basket full of beautiful bread, fish and shrimp cakes, and on top plenty of honey and grapes.
At such a sight the poor diners sparkled with joy, and putting aside that misery for the next day, they ate of the delicious food. The moved doctor exclaimed: "Neither we seculars nor you friars really know the holiness of this man.
And they would certainly have been fully fed, but more than the food the miracle had satiated them.
Thus the loving eye of the Father never despises his own, rather he assists those most in need with more generous providence. The poor man feeds at a richer table than the king, how much God surpasses man in generosity" (FF 629).
"What must we do to work God's work? [...] This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent" (Jn 6:28, 29).
18th Sunday in O.T. B (Jn 6,24-35)
