In today's passage Jesus asks Peter if he really loves him and, to the disciple's affirmative answer, he adds to begin to shepherd his lambs, to begin with the little ones.
In Francis, an authentic witness of the Lord is given to the brothers and to the world, who opens a new way for every man of good will. In the Poverello, the request of Jesus is concretely incarnated.
In this sense, the Prologue of the Major Legend is illuminating:
"The Grace of God, our Saviour, in these last times has appeared in his servant Francis, to all those who are truly humble and truly friends of holy poverty.
For while they venerate in him the superabundance of God's mercy, they are instructed by his example to radically deny ungodliness and worldly desires, to live in conformity with Christ and to yearn, with insatiable thirst and desire, for blessed hope.
On him, truly poor and contrite of heart, God rested His gaze with great condescension and goodness; He not only lifted him, a beggar, from the dust of worldly life, but made him a champion, guide and herald of evangelical perfection and chose him as a light for believers, so that, having become a witness to the light, he might prepare for the Lord the way of light and peace in the hearts of the faithful" (FF 1020).
So in Francis, in the footsteps of Jesus, a way of salvation opened up for everyone, a precious presence for the brothers and all humanity.
How many times did he reassure his own with his benevolent presence!
Before the strong wind of trials, he always comforted them, helping them to overcome them, exhorting them not to fear.
In him, God was tangibly present, special and multifaceted, offering a path of newness and redemption.
The major legend recalls:
"As a shrewd architect, he wanted to build himself on the foundation of humility, as he had learned from Christ" (FF 1103).
That is why his figure acquired authority simply by making himself small, attesting with his life to the divine Presence in him, which worked admirably.
Clare herself, full of divine love, by now close to her departure, came to say to her soul:
"Go in safety," she told her, "for you have a good escort on the journey.
Go because He who created you, has sanctified you and always looking upon you as a mother his son, has loved you with tender love" (FF 3252).
As if to say: do not fear, for the Lord has already led you on the path of redemption, He is with you!
With Jesus, every headwind is overcome "from below" - and the horizon shows up-to-date ramifications of salvation.
3rd Easter Sunday, year C (Jn 21:1-19)
