The man who often described himself as «simplex et idiota» had in fact understood well what it meant to live the Holy Gospel consistently and without going against his conscience.

Intense prayer and Grace, which never abandoned him, made him a faithful and wise listener, who built his inner home on the solid Rock of Christ.

The Sources, teachers of practical life, enlighten us in this regard:

"His highest aspiration, his dominant desire, his firmest will was to observe the Holy Gospel perfectly and always and to imitate faithfully, with all vigilance, with all commitment, with all the enthusiasm of his soul and heart, the doctrine and examples of our Lord Jesus Christ" (FF 466 - First Life - Celano).

Again:

"Two years before he gave up his spirit to God, after many and varied labours, divine Providence drew him aside and led him to a lofty mountain called Monte della Verna...

Here he began, as was his custom, to fast...

He rose to those heights not as an importunate scrutineer of majesty... but as a faithful and prudent servant, intent on seeking the will of God, to which he ardently desired to conform in everything" (FF 223 - Major Legend).

And he always recommended to his friars:

"Keep his precepts in the depths of your hearts and fulfil his counsels perfectly" (FF 216 - Letter to the whole Order).

Francis, in fact, a true lover and imitator of Christ, knew that «Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven» (Mt 7:21).

Thursday, 1st wk. in Advent  (Mt 7:21,24-27)