Francis, the Poor Man of Assisi, believed deeply in the Merciful Love and Patience of Christ. He could not bear to judge people without appeal.
He was always righteous and merciful towards others, though much less so towards himself.
There are many passages about this in the Sources. We read:
«Oh, how worthy of compassion is our foolishness!
Not only do we not lift up or support the weak, but sometimes we push them to fall.
We consider it of no importance to take a sheep from the Supreme Shepherd, for whom he cried out with tears on the Cross.
But you, holy Father, preferred to amend the erring and not lose them [...]» (FF 763).
The friars themselves had been taught to restrain their tongues:
"They were relentless judges of themselves, careful not to harm one another in any way.
If a brother happened to utter a word that could hurt someone, his remorse would not allow him to rest until he confessed his mistake" (FF 1448-1449).
Furthermore, Francis "insisted that the brothers should not judge anyone, and should not look with contempt on those who live in luxury and dress with exaggerated refinement and pomp.
God is our Lord and theirs, and he has the power to call them to himself and make them righteous" (FF 1469).
Guardian of the marginalised, Francis the Minim, poured out on everyone the gratuitousness he had received from Christ.
A man of indomitable faith, he embraced even the marginalised, going far beyond any judgement or stereotypical mentality.
In the Regula Bullata, addressing his friars, he said:
«I admonish them [...] and exhort them not to despise or judge men who are clothed in soft and colourful garments and use delicate food and drink, but rather let each one judge and despise himself» (FF 81).
And even more so in his Admonitions, he urged them to beware of judging priests.
«And woe to those who despise them.
Even if they are sinners, no one should judge them, for the Lord has expressly reserved to himself the right to judge them.
Indeed, the greater the ministry they perform in the most holy body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which they alone receive and administer to others, the greater the sin of those who sin against them, than if they sinned against all other men in this world» (FF176).
«Do not judge, so that you will not be judged, for with the judgement you use, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you» (Mt 7:1-2)
Monday of the 12th wk. in Ordinary Time (Mt 7:1-5)
