After teaching his disciples to pray, Jesus urges them to ask for what they need and to knock because the door will be opened to them.

For Francis of Assisi, giving to those in need was a way of life. This verb, 'to give', was often replaced by another typically Franciscan one: 'to give back'.

For him, giving his cloak to a poor man who knocked at the door of his heart meant giving back what had been lent to him.

On the other hand, as the Gospel says, whatever we wish to be done to us, we must also do to our neighbour (cf. Mt 7:12).

At the same time, he considered it important and a sign of humility to know how to ask.

After his change of life, obeying the voice of the Crucified One at San Damiano and overcoming himself, he devoted himself to countless labours.

The Sources narrate:

"Francis, a man of God, stripped of worldly possessions, consecrated himself to divine worship and, no longer caring for his own advantage, committed himself to serving God in every way possible.

Returning to the church of St. Damian, all happy and fervent, he made himself a hermit's habit and comforted the priest of that church with the same words of encouragement that the bishop had addressed to him.

Then, returning to the city, he began to walk through the squares and streets, praising the Lord with his soul intoxicated.

When he finished his praises, he set about obtaining the stones needed to restore the church. He said:

"Whoever gives me a stone will receive a reward; whoever gives me two stones will receive two rewards; whoever gives me three stones will receive three rewards!"

With ardent enthusiasm, he made this and similar appeals full of ingenuity, for this chosen one of God had a candid and childlike soul, did not resort to the learned language of human wisdom, but was simple and direct in everything" (FF 1420).

According to the Poverello, begging for alms for the love of God was the most noble and dignified gesture before the Lord and the world.

"For everything that the heavenly Father has created for the use of men, he continues to give freely even after sin, to the worthy and unworthy alike, because of the love he has for his beloved Son" (FF 1610).

«Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you» (Lk 11:9)

Sunday 17th, Ordinary Time, year C  (Lk 11:1-13)