Jesus invites all to discern the signs inherent in nature, to give criterion to the last ones. When the fig tree buds, the season of fruit is near.
Thus Francis, a true lover and imitator of Him, reads in his own life and that of his brothers the offshoots of the Kingdom of God that is approaching, before events that speak the language of the Creator Himself.
In the Sources we find passages that indicate the signs of the growth of every believer, like the tree that sprouts and produces fruit:
"We are spouses, when the faithful soul is united to our Lord Jesus Christ by virtue of the Holy Spirit.
We are his brothers, when we do the will of the Father who is in heaven.
We are mothers, when we bear him in our heart and body through divine love and pure and sincere conscience, we generate him through holy works, which must shine out to others as an example" (FF 168/2. Letter to the Faithful).
Well, «when you see these things happening, know that the Kingdom of God is at hand»!
Francis also reads in his illness and death the approaching Kingdom of God.
He raises his head and thus addresses his own:
"Then the Saint lifted up his hands to Heaven, glorifying his Christ, because he could go to Him without hindrance of any kind.
But to show that in everything he was a perfect imitator of Christ his God, he loved to the end his brothers and sons whom he had loved from the beginning [...].
Then, while all the brothers were around him, he stretched out his right hand over them and placed it on the head of each one, beginning with his vicar:
"Farewell," he said, "all you my sons, live in the fear of the Lord and keep yourselves in it always!
And since the hour of trial and tribulation draws near, blessed are those who persevere in what they have undertaken!
For I hasten to God and commend you all to his grace'.
And he also blessed all the brothers, wherever they were in the world, and those who would come after them until the end of the ages" (FF 806).
«When they have already sprouted, behold, by yourselves you know that summer is already near» (Lk 21:31)
Friday, 34th wk. in O.T. (Lk 21,29-33)
