Jesus is Light in his preaching, and walking along the Sea of Galilee, he draws the sons of Zebedee to follow him, as well as Simon and Andrew, the fishermen.
Francis understood that the words of the Crucifix of San Damiano did not refer to the reconstruction of the small temple, but to the renewal of the Church in its members.
He had laid aside his penitential garments to take on the 'minorite' habit, girding his loins with a rough rope and covering his head with the hood worn by the peasants of the time, walking barefoot.
He had begun his apostolic mission by marrying Lady Poverty to become, as Jesus suggested, a fisher of men in the faith.
The Sources, in a transversal way, provide significant snapshots of this becoming a 'fisherman' in the proclamation of the Word of salvation.
In fact, we read in his address to the friars:
«Dear brothers, let us consider our vocation. God, in his mercy, has called us not only for our own salvation, but also for that of many others.
Let us therefore go throughout the world, exhorting everyone, by example rather than words, to do penance for their sins and to remember God's commandments».
He continued:
«Do not be afraid of being considered insignificant or unbalanced, but proclaim penance with courage and simplicity. Trust in the Lord, who has conquered the world!» (FF 1440).
Francis had cast his nets into the sea of society at that time to bring souls to God, and he taught his friars to do the same.
The latter "walked joyfully, speaking among themselves the words of the Lord, saying nothing that did not serve the praise and glory of God and the profit of the soul.
They frequently gave themselves over to prayer. The Lord took care of preparing hospitality for them and ensured that they were served with what was necessary" (FF 1455).
Amazement accompanied them, in their purity of spirit, for the souls they led to God - happy that the unloved Love (as Francis said) was becoming better known through the Proclamation.
And again in the Sources:
"Many people, seeing the friars serene in tribulations, cheerful and devoted in prayer, having neither money nor receiving money, cultivating brotherly love among themselves, from which it was recognised that they were truly disciples of the Lord, were impressed and sorry, and came to them and asked forgiveness for the offences they had committed.
They forgave them wholeheartedly, saying, «May the Lord forgive you!» - and gave them useful advice for their salvation.
Some begged to be received into their group [...] so they took with them some aspirants to the religious life and, in their company, they all returned, at the appointed time, to Santa Maria della Porziuncola" (FF 1445).
Because those who choose God have their choice imprinted on their hearts and faces.
«Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men» (Mt 4:19)
3.a Domenica T.O. (A) (Mt 4,12-23)
