Jesus points out to the eyes of the Pharisees who want to frame him, the fontal goodness of marriage, but also the value of a life given directly to the Lord and which therefore becomes "eunuch" for the Kingdom of Heaven.
Looking in the Franciscan Sources, we note that the Poor Man of Assisi esteemed marriage, in the Christian life, as a place of witness to God's springing love for man and woman, knowing how to welcome and await the times of Providence in every situation.
In the Sources, it is narrated that a noblewoman once came to him to ask the saint for a remedy against a very bad husband, who was hindering her in the service of Christ.
"After listening to her, he said to her: 'Go in peace and be assured that you will soon have from your man the consolation you desire.'
And he added: "You will tell him from God and from me that now is the time for mercy, then for justice".
Having received the blessing, the woman returns, finds her husband and tells him those words.
The Holy Spirit descends upon him, transforming him into a new man, thus inducing him to respond with all meekness:
"Madam, let us serve the Lord and save our souls".
At the urging of his holy wife, they led a celibate life for several years, until they both returned to the Lord on the same day" (FF 1193 - Major Legend).
But for those who, like Francis and Clare of Assisi, follow their call to become disciples in poverty following Christ [eunuchs for the Kingdom of God] life unfolds differently.
We read about St Clare:
"When therefore she began to feel the first stirrings of holy love, she considered the perishable and false flower of worldliness despicable, instructed by the anointing of the Holy Spirit to attribute little value to things that have little value.
And indeed beneath her precious and soft garments she wore a small cilice concealedly, appearing outwardly adorned for the world, but inwardly clothed in Christ.
Finally, wanting her parents to marry her nobly, they did not consent in any way: but, pretending to want to postpone the earthly wedding until later, she entrusted her virginity to the Lord" (FF 3160).
Francis and Clare attest to us with facts how important it is to respond and live well the specific and unrepeatable call, addressed to each one.
"What God has joined together, let no man put asunder [...] And there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven" (Mt 19,6b.12b).
Friday of the 19th wk. in O.T. (Mt 19,3-12)
