Jesus narrates the metaphor of the murderous peasants. It was only at the end that the priests and Pharisees realised it was addressed to them, and tried to capture him, fearing however the crowd who considered him a prophet.

Francis well knew that Jesus is the cornerstone, discarded by the builders, yet precious and granite before God.

He knew and repeated in his heart the Psalm (118) that captures all this:

«Jesus says to them, 'You have never read in the Scriptures: the stone which the builders reproved, this one has become a cornerstone [...]»" (Mt 21:42).

In the Sources, we find the Poverello's great respect for the stones that reminded him of the Milestone: Christ.

Celano, in the Second Life, points out:

"He walked reverently over the stones, in regard to him who is called Stone. 'And having to recite the verse, which says: on the stone you have raised me up, he mutates the words thus for greater respect: «Under the feet of the Stone you have raised me up»" (FF 750).

Following the example of Christ and through the work of the Spirit, Francis became a stone in the building of the Church.

The major legend states in this regard:

"During the two years that followed the impression of the stigmata he, like a stone destined for the building of the heavenly Jerusalem, had been squared by the blows of trial, through his many and tormented infirmities, and, like a ductile material, had been reduced to ultimate perfection under the hammer of numerous tribulations" (FF 1239).

Together with Francis, Clare was also made the foundation stone for the Order of the Poor Ladies.

We read: "The first work Francis set about [...] was to rebuild a temple to the Lord. He does not plan to build a new one, but restores an ancient and crumbling church; he does not undermine the foundations, but builds on them, thus unknowingly leaving the primacy to Christ. For no one could create any other foundation than that which has already been laid: Jesus Christ.

Returning therefore to the place where, as has been said, the church of San Damiano had formerly been built, with the grace of the Most High he repaired it with all diligence in a short time" (FF 350).

"This is the blessed and holy place in which the glorious Order of the «Poor Ladies» and holy virgins, almost six years after his conversion, had its happy origin by Francis himself.

It was there that Lady Clare, also a native of Assisi, a most precious and strong stone, became the foundation stone for all the other stones of this religious family" (FF 351).

On the cornerstone of Christ, the One whom the murderous vinedressers persecuted and killed, are placed (there finding place and meaning) stones made alive by Him to build the Kingdom of God by the power of the Spirit.

«Have you not read this Scripture: The stone which the builders rejected, this one has become the cornerstone [...]» (Mk 12:10)

Monday 9th wk. in O.T. (Mk 12,1-12)

On this Solemnity of the Holy Trinity, our thoughts turn to how Francis and Clare lived out this Mystery of Unity and Sharing.

As we read through the Sources, we realise that the early experiences were enveloped in the blessing of this great Mystery.

For example, Francis’s Testament concludes as follows:

" «And whoever observes these things, may he be filled in heaven with the blessing of the Most High Father, and on earth with the blessing of his beloved Son, with the Most Holy Spirit the Paraclete, and with all the powers of heaven and all the saints.

And I, little Brother Francis, your servant, insofar as I am able, confirm this most holy blessing to you both within and without. Amen» ” (FF 131).

In the Regola non bollata, specifically in the [Admonition to the Friars], he exhorts them thus:

“ «And let us always build within ourselves a house and a permanent dwelling for Him, who is the Lord God Almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit […] And let us adore Him with a pure heart» ” (FF 61).

In the same Rule, further on:

“ «And wherever we are, all of us, in every place, at every hour and in every time, every day and without ceasing, let us truly and humbly believe, and hold in our hearts, and love, honour, adore, serve, praise and bless, glorify and exalt, magnify and give thanks to the Most High and supreme eternal God, Trinity and Unity, Father and Son and Holy Spirit, Creator of all things and Saviour of all who believe and hope in him and love him; who is without beginning and without end, unchangeable, invisible, ineffable, incomprehensible, inscrutable, blessed, worthy of praise, glorious, exalted, sublime, gentle, lovable, delightful and above all things desirable for ever and ever. Amen» ” (FF 71).

The mystery of the Trinity is illustrated by the attributes used by the Poverello.

And in the Legend of the Three Companions there is a passage which highlights how Francis, regarding the way of life to be followed [by him and his companions], consulted the Holy Scriptures.

“A true worshipper of the Trinity, he sought the support of three witnesses; wherefore he opened the book a second and a third time.

Each time he opened the book, Francis gave thanks to God, who approved the ideal he had long yearned for” (FF 1431).

And Clare herself, at the beginning of her Spiritual Testament, begins thus:

“ «In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

May the Lord bless you and keep you.

May he show you his face and be merciful to you» ” (FF 2854).

The two Poor of Assisi made the Trinity their dwelling place, the inexhaustible Treasure from which to draw Light and Love, Communion and multifacetedness.

«For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have the life of the Eternal» (Jn 3:16)

Trinity Sunday A  (Jn 3:16–18)

Today's Gospel emphasises the authoritativeness of Jesus in responding to the arrogant pretension of the Pharisees who asked with what authority he did the works he performed, astounding them.

In Francis, this eloquent trait stemmed from his genuine holiness, rooted in humility, which silenced all insubordination among the brothers and the common people.

The humility of the Minim in the Assisian community made every hidden or overt pretension silent.

In the Sources there are interesting passages on this subject:

"Since his conversion, Francis, with the help of the Lord, founded himself and his house, that is, the Order, as a wise architect, on solid rock, that is, on the highest humility and poverty of the Son of God, and called it the Order of Friars Minor.

Above the utmost humility. For this reason, in the early days, when the brothers began to multiply, he wanted them to live in lazarettos to serve the lepers [...]" (FF 1658).

And again: "In order to preserve a greater humility, a few years after his conversion, in a Chapter celebrated at the Portiuncula, he resigned his position as prelate, saying in the presence of all the brothers present:

«From now on I am dead for you. But here is Brother Peter Cattanio, whom I and all of you will obey»" (FF 1661).

He once said to the General Minister:

«I want you to entrust the care you have of me to one of my companions. I will obey him as I obey you: for by the good example and virtue of obedience I want you to remain with me always, in life and in death».

And in the Rule of St Clare (1253):

«And just as at the beginning of his conversion, together with his sisters, he promised obedience to blessed Francis, so he promises to maintain it inviolably to his successors» (Bull of Pope Innocent IV, 2752).

Behold with what authority Francis, in the footsteps of his Master, did these things!

«By what authority do you do these things? O who gave you this authority to do these things?»  (Mk 11:28)

Saturday of the 8th wk. in O.T.  (Mk 11:27-33)

Through the parable of the barren fig tree, Jesus calls us to conversion, to be trees that bear fruit: «He went [to see] if he could find anything on it, and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves» (Mk 11:13).

Francis, humble of heart and simple, offers us a thought-provoking episode in this regard.

“He used to say that preachers are to be pitied, for they often sell their ministry for a penny’s worth of vainglory.

And he would sometimes try to cure their conceit with this remedy:

«Why do you boast of the conversion of men, when it is my simple brothers who have converted them through their prayers?»

And indeed, he commented thus on the passage that says: «even the barren woman has borne many children»:

«The barren woman is my poor friar, who has no task of begetting children in the Church. But at the judgement he will have brought many to light, for on that day the judge will ascribe to his glory those whom he now converts through his personal prayers»” (FF 749).

And again:

«There are many friars who […] whilst preaching the Gospel to individuals and to the people, on seeing or hearing that some have been edified or converted to penance, become puffed up and swell with pride over results achieved through the labour of others.

In truth, those whom they delude themselves into thinking they have edified or converted to penance through their words, it is the Lord who edifies and converts them through the prayers of the holy friars, even if the latter are unaware of it: this is God’s will, that they should not realise it, lest they become proud.

‘These friars are my knights of the Round Table, who hide themselves in secluded and uninhabited places, to devote themselves with greater fervour to prayer and meditation, weeping over their own sins and those of others» (FF 1624).

The humble and daily conversion of the Minor and his friars has, over time, revolutionised every form of arrogant thinking, thanks to the Word of Christ.

Friday, 8th wk. in O.T.  (Mk 11:11-25)

Jesus heals on the Jericho road a blind man who believes in Him and who, because of the salvation he has received, begins to follow Him glorifying God.

Blindness is a theme revisited by Francis on several occasions.

The Minim knew what blindness of body and soul was, having experienced it spiritually and physically.

The Name of Jesus on the lips of the Poor Man had often generated healings, restoring sight.

In the Sources we find:

"In the convent of the Friars Minor in Naples there was a friar named Robert who had been blind for many years.

At one point a fleshy growth formed over his eyes, preventing him from moving and lifting his eyelids.

One day, many foreign friars gathered in the friary, on their way to different parts of the world.

Well then, our blessed father Francis, a mirror of holy obedience, as if to encourage them on their journey with the novelty of a miracle, wanted to heal that friar, in their presence, in the following way.

'This friar Robert was deathly ill, so much so that by this time his soul had been recommended to him; when behold, the blessed Father appeared to him, in company with three friars, models of all holiness: saint Anthony, friar Augustine, and friar James of Assisi, who now, after death, accompanied him thoughtfully, just as they had followed him perfectly during life.

Taking a knife, St Francis cut away his superfluous flesh, restoring his sight and snatching him from the jaws of death; then he said to him:

«O son Robert, the grace I have given you is a sign for the brothers who set out for distant peoples: it is a sign that I will precede and guide them on their journey. Let them depart with joy and fulfil with a ready heart the obedience received!» (FF 1299).

The Canticle written by St Francis [Canticle of Brother Sun] is a hymn to life and light at the moment when he had lost his sight and been healed in his heart.

Francis, after his conversion, saw again and became a light for all, a beacon in the night of time.

Christ restored sight through him.

«And Jesus said to him: Go, your faith has saved you»  (Mk 10:52)

Thursday of the 8th wk. in O.T.  (Mk 10,46-52)

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)

The Minim of Assisi, in order to follow Jesus and live his Gospel, renounced everything (literally) after his conversion to be free to follow in his Lord's footsteps.

He understood that earthly goods are a stumbling block to the evangelical freedom of 'becoming one' with the Master.

Hence we read in the Sources:

"On the advice of the bishop of the town, a very pious man, who did not think it right to use ill-gotten money for sacred purposes, the man of God returned to his father the sum, which he wanted to spend on the restoration of the church. And in front of many who had gathered and were listening:

«From now on - he exclaimed - I will be able to say freely: Our Father, who art in heaven, not Father Peter of Bernardone. Behold, I will not only return him the money, but I will also return him all my garments. Thus, I will go naked to meet the Lord».

O noble soul of a man, to whom Christ alone suffices!" (FF 597).

When the first companions began to arrive, who wanted to live like him, Francis "taught, having learned it by revelation, that the first step in holy religion consists in fulfilling that word of the Gospel: if you want to be perfect, go, sell everything you have and give it to the poor.

So he admitted to the Order only those who had renounced property and kept absolutely nothing for themselves.

So he did, in homage to the word of the Gospel, but also to avoid the scandal of private purses' (FF 1121).

«Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel, who does not receive a hundredfold now, in this time, in houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and fields, together with persecutions, and in the age to come, the life of the Eternal One» (Mk 10:29-30)

In the light of the Gospel, at the time:

"Several men of culture and famous men of letters, both of the laity and the clergy, renouncing the allurements of pleasures, sin and worldly greed, entered the Order in their turn, committing themselves to follow, each according to the particular grace received from God, the poverty and the example of Christ and His servant Francis" (FF 1487- legend of the three companions).

In the section of the Sources: "Chronicles and other testimonies" we find out about the brothers:

"They then strove so diligently to renew in themselves the religion, poverty and humility of the early Church, drawing with thirst and ardour of spirit from the pure waters that flow from the spring of the Gospel [...] renouncing all possessions, denying themselves and, taking up their cross, naked they follow the naked Christ.

Like Joseph, they lay down their cloak*; like the Samaritan woman, their amphora, and they run free and light, before the Face of the Lord, never looking back. 'Forgetting past things, they always lean forward [...]' (FF 2218).

Holy love is content with the fruit of prayer and it is its characteristic to disregard earthly gifts, thinking only of serving the Word in the brothers, with freedom of spirit.

*Jacobus of Vitry captured, in particular, the apostolic commitment of the Friars Minor.

Tuesday 8th wk. in O.T.  (Mk 10:28-31)