In the Gospel of this first Sunday of Advent, the underlying theme is that of being ready for the unpredictable Coming of the Lord, watching and waiting.
Francis of Assisi lived his entire life, beginning with his conversion, in a continuous act of vigilance for the arrival of the Beloved.
In the fraternity, he always sought to encourage his brothers in this direction.
In the Perugian Legend, we read:
"If the servant of God provides wisely for his body with good grace and as far as possible, and brother body shows himself to be lazy, negligent and sleepy in prayer, in vigils and in other good works of the spirit, then he must chastise him like a rebellious and indolent beast, which wants to eat, yes, but refuses to work and carry the load" (FF 1652).
His sons, who looked to the life that the Poverello led with great rigour, followed him.
"They afflicted their bodies not only with fasting, but with many vigils, suffering cold and nakedness and working with their hands.
Very often, in order not to remain idle, they went to help the poor people in the fields, sometimes receiving bread from them for the love of God. With these and other virtues, they sanctified themselves and the place of the Porziuncola. Other brothers who came later behaved in the same way for a long time, albeit with less austerity" (FF 1553).
At that time, the type of asceticism and spirituality practised was expressed in a rigorous way of life, but Francis always seasoned it with the salt of wisdom regarding his community.
Clare herself, a woman enclosed in the secret of God, lived in San Damiano "as a pilgrim and stranger in this world" (Reg. c. VIII,1), in a vigil abandoned to her Spouse, whom she awaited with diligent living.
Hers was an opening to a Presence that intoxicates the poor and humble heart with joy, in a prayer that is love 'in the secret of the Father'.
Chiara's life was lived in joyful penance and expectation, following the Gospel, in extreme poverty and Christian fraternity.
Like Francis, she became a trusted and prudent servant, placed at the head by the Lord to give food at the proper time (cf. Mt 24:45).
«Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming» (Mt 24:42)
First advent Sunday A (Mt 24:37-44)
