Today, in the Gospel of Matthew, we hear about the baptism of the Lord.
To John, who feels uncomfortable because he knows that he needs to be baptised by the Son of God, Jesus replies that it is good to let all justice be fulfilled.
In the Sources concerning the birth and baptism of Francis, we read:
"Francis, servant and friend of the Most High, was given this name by divine Providence, so that the fame of his mission might more easily spread throughout the world because of its originality and novelty.
His mother had named him John, but when he was reborn of water and the Holy Spirit, he became a son of grace instead of a son of wrath" (FF 583).
The Sources also reveal wonderful things about Clare of Assisi, born to Madonna Ortolana.
In the Legend: "The tree is known by its fruit, and the fruit derives its value from the tree.
The abundance of divine Grace poured out in advance into the root, so that holiness might flourish copiously in the branch.
Finally, as the pregnant woman was about to give birth, she prayed intensely to the Crucifix in the church, before the cross, to save her from the dangers of childbirth, and she heard a voice saying to her:
'Do not be afraid, woman, for you will give birth safely to a light that will add brightness to the light itself'.
Enlightened by this prophecy, she wanted the newborn, reborn at the baptismal font, to be called Chiara, hoping that the promised clarity of light would somehow be realised later, in accordance with the loving plan of the divine will.
The Holy Spirit, symbolised by the dove and mentioned in the Gospel, filled Francis with his power and guided him throughout his life as the "Manifestator" of the Son of God:
"The Spirit of the Lord, who had anointed and sent him, assisted his servant Francis wherever he went; Christ himself, the power and wisdom of God, assisted him [...]
His words were like a burning fire, penetrating the depths of the heart and filling minds with admiration" (FF 1210).
And Clare herself, animated by the Holy Spirit poured out upon her in abundance, "was the new woman of the Spoleto valley who opened a new source of living water for the refreshment and well-being of souls" (FF 3294).
Through his prophets, the Lord manifests the revolution wrought by the Spirit, who makes us children of divine favour and intrepid witnesses of his saving Word.
«Now, having been immersed, Jesus immediately came up out of the water, and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon him» (Mt 3:16)
Baptism of the Lord A (Mt 3:13-17)
