The readiness, the vigilance that Jesus speaks of in the Gospel is very much present in the lives of Francis and Clare.

The Sources speak of this fundamental attitude in the life of the believer, regarding the Poverello.

The Perugian legend recounts that the Little One of God, having ascended to the hermitage of La Verna, stayed there for a Lent in honour of God, the Blessed Virgin and St Michael.

"Having entered the cell where he intended to stay [...] on the first night he asked the Lord to show him some sign by which he could know if it was the divine will that he should remain on Verna.

In fact, Francis, when he stopped somewhere for a period of prayer or went around the world to preach, was always anxious to know God's will, in order to please Him more [...].

Although he enjoyed many joys in that little cell, at night the demons inflicted many molestations on him, as he himself told his companion.

He once confided to him:

«If the brethren knew how many afflictions the demons inflict on me, every one of them would be moved with pity and great compassion towards me»" (FF 1649).

Clare 'the Christian' stood out for her vigilance in the spiritual life, as the same papal document Clara Claris praeclara recalls:

"Assiduous also in her vigils and intent on prayer, in this above all she spent the greater part of the day and night" (FF 3300).

In the lives of Francis and Clare of Assisi "being ready" had created the prerequisites that make it possible for a person to respond to God's prevenient love for them.

He had tempered them well, allowing Grace to act in them

in every event.

Tuesday 29th wk. in O.T.  (Lk 12,35-38)