In today's Gospel, Jesus sends a very clear message: give to those in need:

«Give to those who ask you, and do not turn away from those who want to borrow from you» (Mt 5:42).

Francis was a simple and genuine man; he was moved to tears at the mere mention of God's love and did everything he could to help those in need.

Countless passages from the Sources describe his incredible charity towards anyone who asked him for help in the name of God, even remaining naked in order to feed others.

The Second Life of Celano informs us of this:

"Once a poor man asked him for charity for the love of God. Since he had nothing, the Saint took his scissors secretly and prepared to divide his poor habit.

And he would certainly have done so had he not been discovered by the friars, whom he ordered to provide the poor man with other compensation" (FF 784).

And one day, when he met two French friars, the following happened:

"It happened that two friars from France, men of great holiness, met Francis; they felt incredible joy, especially since they had been tormented by this desire for a long time.

After effusive displays of affection and a sweet exchange of words, they were moved by their ardent devotion to ask Francis for his habit.

The saint immediately took it off, remaining half-naked, and gave it to them with the greatest devotion; then he put on, in a pious exchange, the poorest of their habits.

He was ready to give not only such things, but to give himself completely, and whatever was asked of him, he gave with the greatest joy" (FF 767).

Chiara of Assisi, Francis' seraphic plant, was always generous with her sisters and with the poor.

In her, the adventure of extreme faith led to the Beauty that wounds. She had eyes attentive to everything, discovering in every event the Presence of Christ, to whom she wanted to conform. Yes, Clare's life is a testimony that cries out beyond the walls of the monastery.

Legend has it that, even as a young girl, she gave to those in need without hesitation.

"She willingly stretched out her hand to the poor and from the abundance of her home she drew what was necessary to supply the needs of many [...]

Thus, growing up with her from childhood, she had a heart sensitive to the suffering of others and bent compassionately over the miseries of the unhappy" (FF 3158).

Giving themselves and what their neighbour needed was written in their spiritual DNA, exalted by the power of God's Spirit in a wonderful way.

The Two Poor Ones contrasted the mentality of having with the evangelical mentality of 'giving without counting', freely.

Monday of the 11th wk. in Ordinary Time  (Mt 5:38-42)

In today’s Gospel, Jesus, seeing the large crowd following him, emphasises the need to pray that there may be more labourers in his harvest to proclaim the Kingdom and heal the sick, as a sign of gratuitousness.

In the Sources we find various passages referring to the proclamation of the Kingdom of God and its gratuitousness by Francis and his friars. We read, in fact:

“His words were not empty, but filled with the power of the Holy Spirit: they penetrated the depths of the heart and aroused great wonder in his listeners.

At the beginning of every sermon, he would greet the people with a wish for peace, saying:

«May the Lord give you peace!»

He had learnt this form of greeting through a revelation from the Lord.

Like the prophets, he proclaimed peace and preached salvation” (FF 1052).

But it is surprising to find episodes that highlight his utter selflessness, both received and given.

“Francis, a man of God, stripped of worldly possessions, devoted himself to divine worship and, no longer regarding his own interests, committed himself to serving God in every possible way.

Returning to the church of St Damian, on his way back into the city, he began to walk through the squares and streets, raising praises to the Lord.

As soon as he finished his praises, he set about obtaining the stones needed for the restoration of the church.

He would say: «Whoever gives me a stone shall receive a reward; whoever gives two stones, two rewards; whoever gives three, three rewards!» (FF 1420).

Furthermore: “One winter morning, whilst he was praying, clad in rags, his own brother, passing by, remarked ironically to a fellow townsman:

‘Tell Francis to sell you at least a penny’s worth of his sweat!’”

The man of God, upon hearing these mocking words, was seized with superhuman joy and replied in French:

«I will sell this sweat, and at a high price, to my Lord» (FF 1424).

11th Sunday in Ordinary Time  (Mt 9:36–10:8)

Francis, the jester of God, after Grace had made him a new creature, preferred to the natural family the one given him by the Father of mercies. 

Indeed, without hesitation, before the bishop of Assisi and all the onlookers, he stripped himself naked as a sign of abandonment, adding:

«Hitherto I have called you my father on earth; from now on I can say with all confidence: Our Father, who art in heaven, for in Him I have placed all my treasure and placed all my trust and hope» (FF 1043).

As if to say: «Did you not know that I must care for the things of my Father?» (Lk 2:49).

An eloquent response to the old world that let languish in its solace, preferring to taste the sweetness breathed at home in Nazareth.

Francis is in tune with the Holy Family: both in the personal and community dimensions developed around him.

In fact, he was nourished by poverty and simplicity, growing in age, Wisdom and Grace, before God and his beloved brothers.

He was submissive to every brother and sowed everywhere that extraordinary infused Wisdom, which comes to him from above, pure and yielding.

Mary accompanies him everywhere.

He clung to her at every important event, so much so that he called her the Advocate of the Order, she who had made our brother the Lord of Majesty.

And no less was Clare a part of the unique, silent Family of God, so fully that she received as a gift [by then ill and no longer able to go to church] to participate meaningfully in the Christmas Liturgy.

The Father of Mercies and the entire Nazarethian Family were with her. 

The Sources inform us:

"At that hour of Christmas (1252), when the world rejoices with the angels for the newborn Child, all the Women set out for Matins to the place of prayer, leaving the Mother alone burdened with her infirmity. 

And as she began to think of the little Jesus and was very sorry that she could not participate in the singing of his praises, she sighed and said to him:

«Lord God, here I am left alone for You!»

And suddenly the wonderful concert that was going on in the church of St Francis began to ring in her ears.

She heard the brothers psalm in jubilation, followed the harmonies of the singers, even perceived the sound of instruments.

The place was nowhere near enough to humanly perceive those sounds: either that solemn celebration was made divinely audible to her, or her hearing was strengthened beyond all human possibility.

Indeed, which surpasses this prodigy of hearing, she was worthy to see even the Lord's crib.

When, in the morning, the daughters came to her, the blessed Clare said:

«Blessed be the Lord Jesus Christ, who did not leave me alone, when you abandoned me!

I have indeed heard, by the Grace of Christ, all those ceremonies that were celebrated this night in the church of St Francis» (FF 3212).

In the communities of Francis and Clare of Assisi, the spirit of the Family of Nazareth fermented, expert in suffering but also a place of genuine virtue. Clare, as 'other Mary', meditated in her heart on all the Mysteries of the Son of God.

Immaculate Heart of Mary  (Lk 2:41-51)

In the liturgy of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, we are presented with a passage from Matthew in which the portrait of the true Shepherd is defined by the humble and gentle heart that sets him apart.

Jesus praises the Father for having revealed the things of Heaven to the little ones and not to the learned.

Thus, the shepherd follows in his unmistakable footsteps.

The life of Francis, the Poor One, is rich in remarkable episodes, which bear witness to the breadth of a new heart, marked by Love, attesting to his being a merciful shepherd of souls.

At the beginning of their communal life, the friars lived at Rivotorto, 3 km from the Porziuncola.

Here is what happened there one evening:

“One night, one of those little sheep, whilst the others slept, began to cry out: «I am dying, brothers, I am dying of hunger!»

The wise shepherd rose immediately and hastened to bring the necessary help to the ailing little sheep.

He ordered the table to be set, even if with simple fare […]

He himself began to eat first and invited the other friars to fulfil that duty of charity, so that the poor creature might not feel ashamed.

Having taken the food in the fear of the Lord, so that the act of charity might be complete, the Father gave his sons a long discourse on the virtue of discretion.

He prescribed that they should always offer God a sacrifice seasoned with prudence, wisely admonishing them to take account, in divine service, of their own strength […]

Then he added:

«Dearest ones, know that what I have done in eating was not done out of greed, but out of due consideration and because fraternal charity imposed it upon me.

Let charity be your example, not food, for food satisfies the appetite, but charity satisfies the spirit» (FF 608).

And again:

‘One day, whilst travelling near Siena, he came across a large flock of sheep grazing.

As was his custom, he greeted them kindly, and they, ceasing to graze, all ran together towards him, lifting their muzzles and gazing at him with their eyes raised.

They welcomed him so joyfully that the friars and shepherds were amazed, seeing the lambs and even the rams skipping around him in such a marvellous way" (FF 1147 – Major Legend).

Charity has a special scent, and all creatures recognise its fragrance.

«[…] learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your souls»  (Mt 11:29b)

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus – year A  (Mt 11:25–30)

Jesus warns against the ruthless justice of the Pharisees, urging respect for every brother and sister and reconciliation, which is the flavour of life as children of God.

Francis was a great spiritual teacher, almost without realising it.

He was convinced, by Grace, that justice always goes hand in hand with mercy.

A justice far removed from legalistic rigidity, eager to express itself in the fulfilment of God's will, always with respect for one's brother.

During the period when he was very ill, Francis learned that the bishop of Assisi had excommunicated the podestà of the city and that the latter had organised various reprisals against him.

Sick as he was, he was moved with pity for them, concerned that no one was interested in restoring harmony and peace between the two.

So he spoke to his brothers.

We find in the Sources: "It is a great shame for us, servants of God, that the bishop and the podestà hate each other so much, and no one takes the trouble to restore peace between them".

He then composed a verse to add to the Lauds (now known as the Canticle of the Creatures).

«... BE PRAISED, MY LORD/

FOR THOSE WHO FORGIVE FOR YOUR LOVE/

AND THEY SUPPORT IN THEMSELVES INFIRMITIES AND TRIBULATIONS/

BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO BURY THEM IN PEACE,

FOR BY YOU, MOST HIGH, THEY WILL BE CROWNED».

This verse was sung by Francis to his friars on the square in front of the bishop's palace, in the presence of the two parties involved and other people.

Thus Francis holy favoured their reconciliation, and the bishop took the podestà in his arms, saying: "By virtue of my office, I should be humble. Unfortunately, I have a temperament prone to anger. I beg you to forgive me”.

And so the two embraced and kissed each other cordially.

The Lord, through Francis, had touched the hearts of the two adversaries who, no longer remembering their mutual insults, returned to sincere harmony. (cf. FF 1593)

Justice and mercy are to be sought and asked of God first and foremost in prayer and silence, for a new heart is a gift from the Lord, a continuous exodus.

In the Rule of the Hermits, written by Francis, we read:

«And these [the friars] should have a cloister, in which each one has his own little cell, in which he can pray and sleep [...] and they should rise for matins, and first of all seek the kingdom of God and his justice» (FF 137).

In the same Praises of God Most High, Francis emphasises that God is justice:

«[...] You are justice,

You are temperance,

You are all our wealth in enough» (FF 261).

The Poor Man, knowing that the Lord-Justice called for a greater justice than that of manner, committed himself wholeheartedly to the Kingdom of Heaven and sought to teach his brothers to do the same.

He never forgot that mercy always prevails in God's judgement.

Merciful Justice

Jesus warns against ruthless Pharisaic justice, urging respect for every brother and reconciliation, the flavour of life as sons.

Francis was a great spiritual teacher, almost without realising it.

He was convinced, by Grace, that justice always goes hand in hand with mercy.

A justice far from legalistic rigidity, eager to express itself in the fulfilment of God's will, in respect for the brother always.

The Franciscan Sources teach much in this regard.

"If it happened that a brother missed a hurtful word, his conscience would not let him rest until he confessed his mistake, threw himself down humbly and begged the offended one to put his foot over his mouth.

If that brother refused to make that gesture, when the offender was his superior, he would command him to put his foot over his mouth; when he was a subject, he would have the person in charge order him to do so.

In this way, the brothers strove to banish all rancour and incompatibility, and to keep exchangeable love intact.

They did their utmost to replace every vice with the corresponding virtue, inspired and assisted in this by the Grace of Jesus Christ" (FF 1449).

Justice and Mercy to be sought, to be asked of God first of all in prayer and silence, because a new heart is a gift from the Lord, a continuous exodus.

In the Rule of the Hermitages, written by Francis, we read:

«And let these [the friars] have a cloister, in which each has his own little cell, in which he may pray and sleep [...] and rise for matins, and first of all seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness» (FF 137).

In the same Praises of God Most High, Francis emphasises that God is justice:

«[...] You are justice,

You are temperance,

You are all our riches enough» (FF 261).

The Poverello, knowing that the Lord-justice called for a greater justice than that of manner, worked hard for the kingdom of heaven and tried to teach his brothers to do likewise.

Never forgot that mercy always prevails in judgement before God.

«For I tell you that unless your righteousness abounds more [than that] of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven» (Mt 5:20).

Thursday, 10th wk. in O.T.  (Mt 5,20-26)

In the Gospel passage proposed today, Jesus speaks of having come to give full fulfilment to the Law.

So do not tear down or transgress the Word, but observe it by loving. Love is the true fulfilment of the Law of the Lord, which is perfect and refreshes the soul.

Francis understood this well by living and teaching his fraternity to do the same.

The Sources provide, through various pieces, precious examples of life. In the Letter to the rulers of the peoples:

«I beseech you [...] with all the reverence of which I am capable, not to forget the Lord, absorbed as you are by the cares and cares of this world, and not to deviate from his commandments, for all those who forget the Lord and depart from his commandments are accursed and will be forgotten by him» (FF 211).

At the same time, the Poverello, with that balance and elasticity that distinguished him, emphasised:

«And whenever necessity arises, let all the brothers, wherever they may be, be allowed to take all the food that men can eat, just as the Lord says of David, who ate the loaves of the offering that were not allowed to be eaten except by priests [...] Similarly, in times of manifest necessity, let all the brothers provide for their necessities as the Lord will give them grace, since necessity has no law» (FF 33).

According to Francis' thought, what harms love is detraction. In fact, in the Major Legend, we read:

"The vice of detraction, the radical enemy of piety and grace, had him in horror like the bite of the serpent and like the most harmful pestilence [...].

«The wickedness of detractors," he would say, "is all the greater than that of thieves, the greater the force with which the law of Christ, which finds its fulfilment in love, obliges us to desire the salvation of souls more than that of bodies»" (FF 1141).

Clare herself, in the Rule warns:

«I admonish, then, and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that the sisters beware of all pride, vainglory, envy, avarice, care and solicitude of this world, of detraction and murmuring, of discord and division» (FF 2809).

«Let them always be solicitous to preserve mutually the unity of mutual charity, which is the bond of perfection" (FF 2810).

Love was the Rule of the brothers and the Poor Ladies of San Damiano: «[...] and so, bearing the yoke of mutual charity, with ease shall we fulfil the law of Christ. Amen»." (FF 2918 - Letter to Ermentrude of Bruges).

«Do not believe that I have come to tear down the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to demolish, but to fulfil»  (Mt 5:17)

Wednesday, 10th wk. in O.T.  (Mt 5,17-19)

In today's Gospel, Jesus speaks of the witness we are called to give with our lives, to be salt and light for all.

Francis, in his journey of faith, sought to please God with a savoury existence and a luminous life, irrigated by Grace.

Chiara herself, always united with her Spouse Jesus, was prophetically chosen to be what her name meant: light, brightness for the world.

Their witness shines forth in the Sources.

In the Letter of Brother Elia, written immediately after Francis' death, the experience of the friars alongside their father and the fragrance of life they breathed is evident.

"Truly, the presence of our brother and father Francis was the true light, not only for us who were his companions in the same profession of life, but also for those who were far away.

He was, in fact, a light brought forth from the true light, the one who enlightens those who were in darkness and sat in the shadow of death, to direct their steps on the path of peace.

This he did, like true midday light.

The light that came from above illuminated his heart and warmed his will with the fire of his love" (FF 307).

This was the experience of those who knew him closely.

But Chiara herself, in the collection of letters compiled for the wonderful dialogue with Agnes of Bohemia, offers passages that are the measure of her heart and her life-light.

In the fourth letter we read:

«And since this vision of him is the splendour of eternal glory, the brightness of everlasting light and a mirror without blemish, every day bring your soul, O queen, bride of Jesus Christ, to this mirror and gaze continually at your face in it, so that you may thus adorn yourself entirely within and without, clothed and surrounded by variety, and be equally adorned with the flowers and garments of all the virtues, as befits you, daughter and beloved bride of the supreme King» (FF 2902).

The purity of Francis and Clare had reached such heights that, as St Bonaventure says, the whole machinery of the world was placed at the service of the sanctified senses of these two splendid figures.

Everything in their poor and simple existence became a clear and profound testimony to the praise of God.

«Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven» (Mt 5:16)

Tuesday of the 10th wk. in Ordinary Time  (Mt 5:13-16)