Francis and his brethren wanted to conform themselves to Christ the Servant and in everything they strove to follow in his footsteps.
The Sources recite: "They occupied the day in prayer and working with their hands [...] they loved each other with a deep affection, and served and provided for each other, as a mother would do with her only tenderly loved child" (FF 1446).
But also Clare of Assisi, little plant of the Seraphic Father, in the Monastery of St Damian gave extraordinary testimony of humble service to all the sisters, especially the sick.
We read: «The abbess is firmly obliged [...] to inform herself with solicitude about what their infirmity requires, both in terms of advice and in terms of food and other necessities, and to provide for them with charity and mercy [...] since all are obliged to provide for and serve their sick sisters, as they themselves would like to be served if they were to suffer any infirmity» (FF 2797).
All the Sources, then, abound repeatedly with the expression [referring both to Francis and Clare] that emphasises being at the service of Christ and the brothers.
We often encounter the expression: «Clare servant of Christ and of the poor Sisters» or also: «the servant of God Francis [...]» testifying to their being submissive for the sake of the Kingdom.
Wednesday, 8th wk. in O.T. (Mk 10:32-45)
