Jesus calls to reflect on who his mother and brothers are: "these who hear the Word of God and do it" (Lk 8:21).

Francis, who considered himself simple and idiotic, passionately loved the Word of God.

In fact, when he came across the Letters on the ground, he would pick them up and give them due consideration.

This is attested by the Sources, in the first letter (written by him) to the Keepers:

"Even the writings containing the names and words of the Lord, wherever they are found in inconvenient places, let them be collected and placed in a worthy place" (FF 242).

Clare herself, a little plant of the Seraphic Father, recalls in her Testament how much Francis loved and lived the Word, giving it as an example:

"The Son of God became our way; and this by word and example our blessed Father Francis, true lover and imitator of Him, showed and taught us" (FF 2824).

And to those who asked him if he was pleased that educated people should enter the Order, he replied:

"I have pleasure in it; provided, however, that, following the example of Christ, of whom we read not so much that he studied as that he prayed, they do not neglect to dedicate themselves to prayer, and provided they study not so much to know how they should speak, as to put into practice the things they have learned, and, only when they have put them into practice, propose them to others.

I want my brothers to be disciples of the Gospel and to progress in the knowledge of the truth, so that at the same time they may grow in the purity of simplicity" (FF 1188).

"And the principal reason why he revered the ministers of the Word of God was this: that they revive the offspring of their dead brother, that is, they revive Christ, who was crucified for sinners, when they convert them, being their guide with pious solicitude and solicitous piety.

He affirmed that this office of piety is more pleasing than any sacrifice to the Father of mercies, especially if it is fulfilled with zeal dictated by perfect charity, so that one labours in it more by example than by word, more by the tears of prayer than by the loquacity of speeches" (FF 1135).

"For he had never been a deaf hearer of the Gospel, but, entrusting everything he heard to a commendable memory, he sought with all diligence to follow it to the letter" (FF 357).

Tuesday of the 25th wk. in O.T. (Lk 8,19-21)

The passage from Luke proposed today emphasises the clarity of the lamp, which is not to be dimmed but exalted in order to spread.

Jesus also insists on the need for proper dispositions to hear the Word.

We also discover the reverberation of all this in the Franciscan Sources.

The Poor Man of Assisi, the light of the Order of Minors, had understood by grace that on how we listen to the Word of God depends the fruits.

That is why we read in his writings:

"And since he who is of God LISTENS TO THE WORDS OF GOD, therefore we, who in a very special way are deputed to the divine offices, must not only listen to and practise what God says, but also, in order to root in us the loftiness of our Creator and our submission to him, guard the sacred vessels and liturgical books, which contain the holy words" (Letter to all Clerics, FF 224).

He knew that listening affects the brilliance of witness, so much so that, in the Vita Seconda of Celano, it is noted:

"The Friars Minor have been sent by the Lord in this last time to offer examples of light to those who are shrouded in the darkness of sins" (FF 739).

Likewise Clare, prophesied from her mother's womb to be a light for the world, is looked upon as a special gift of God for humanity in the Letter of Introduction to the Legend:

"Therefore merciful God raised up the venerable virgin Clare, and in her he made a very bright lamp to shine for women" (FF 3151), this one not to be placed under the bushel, but on the lampstand to give light to us all.

She loved and sought to listen attentively to the Word. Indeed:

"She provides her daughters, through devoted preachers, with the nourishment of the Word of God, of which she reserves a large portion for herself. Such joy [...] pervades her in listening to holy preaching" (FF 3230).

"When, in fact, she returned in the joy of holy prayer, she brought back from the fire of the altar of the Lord burning words, such as inflamed the hearts of the sisters.

They noted with admiration that a certain sweetness radiated from her face and that her face seemed brighter than usual.

Certainly, in his gentleness, God had given the poor girl convocation and, after having flooded her soul in prayer with his TRUE LIGHT, he manifested it outside perceptibly" (FF 3199).

Bright Clare by virtue shines in the Church as a lamp on the candelabra, illuminating the darkness of this world.

"Now no one lights a lamp and covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but places it on a lampstand, so that those who enter may see the light" (Lk 8:16).

Monday of the 25th wk. in O.T. (Lk 8:16-18)