Jesus, in today's Gospel, focuses on relying on Providence:
"Look at the birds of the air: for they neither sow nor reap in barns, and your heavenly Father feeds them" (Mt 6:26).
Francis and Clare of Assisi were truly the 'entrusted to Providence', precisely as an evangelical way of life, since faith had made them 'hands open to the blessings of the Lord' - without worrying about tomorrow, which would take care of itself.
In the Sources there are passages worthy of reflection in this regard.
In the Major Legend:
"When, as time went on, the brothers had become very numerous, the thoughtful pastor began to gather them together in the place of St Mary of the Portiuncula for the General Chapter, in which he could assign to each one of them a portion of obedience in the kingdom of the poor, according to the measure willed by God.
At the Portiuncula there was a shortage of everything; but, although at times a multitude of more than five thousand brothers would gather there, the help of the Divine Goodness was never lacking, who provided enough for all and granted to all health of body and superabundant joy of spirit" (FF1080).
And again, in the Perugine Legend:
"We who have lived with him have heard him say on several occasions that word from the Gospel: the foxes have their lair and the birds of the air their nest, but the son of man has nowhere to lay his head.
And he continued:
"The Lord, when he stood apart to pray and fasted forty days and forty nights, did not have a cell or a house prepared for him, but sheltered himself under the rocks of the mountain.
Thus, following the example of the Lord, he did not want to have either house or cell in this world, nor did he want them built for him.
On the contrary, if the recommendation escaped him:
"Prepare this cell for me like this", he did not want to dwell in it afterwards, in obedience to the Word of the Gospel: do not worry" (FF 1559).
Clare herself entrusted herself to Providence in need, praying.
"One day there was a complete lack of oil for the handmaids of Christ, to the point that there was none even for dressing the sick.
Donna Chiara took a vase and, master of humility, washed it herself with her own hands; then she set the empty vase aside for the begging brother to come and get it [...].
The devout brother hastens to succour such great indigence and runs to fetch the vase.
But it does not depend on the will of man nor on the efforts of the one who runs, but on God who uses mercy.
In fact, by God's intervention alone, that vase finds itself filled with oil: St Clare's prayer prevented, to the relief of the poor daughters, the friar's service.
Actually, that friar, believing he had been called for nothing, muttering to himself said:
"To mock me these women have called me! For behold, the vessel is full" (FF 3190 - Legend).
God always goes before with his mercy!
Trusting in God, the Saints of Assisi gained awareness of their call entrusted to the Lord.
Saturday of the 11th wk. in O.T. (Mt 6,24-34)
