Today's Gospel passage highlights the spiritual intelligence of those who, like Francis, place at the service of the Kingdom all that The Most High has deposited in their bare existence.
He who has talents to invest in making the Gospel take root, will find them increased by the Lord's longsuffering.
Francis, who described himself as "simplex et idiot", after encountering Christ, changes his skin and everything he previously yearned for ends up detesting him - and everything he previously abhorred becomes sweetness of soul for him.
Walking through the Franciscan Sources, a chisel of events and of the Saint's deep and solid vocation, we read:
"Many, nobles and plebeians, clerics and laymen, docile to divine inspiration, came to the Saint, yearning to stand forever with him and under his guidance.
And to all he, as a rich spring of heavenly grace, bestows the life-giving waters that make the virtues blossom in the garden of the heart.
A truly glorious artist and teacher of the evangelical life: through his example, his Rule and his teaching, the Church of Christ is renewed in her faithful, men and women, and the threefold militia of the elect triumphs" (FF 384).
We also learn that 'he became a herald of the Gospel. He began, in fact, to travel through towns and villages and to proclaim the kingdom of God there, not relying on persuasive speeches of human wisdom, but on the demonstration of spirit and power [...].
Henceforth the vineyard of Christ began to produce fragrant shoots of the good odour of the Lord, and abundant fruit with sweet flowers of grace and holiness" (FF 1072).
The Poor Man of Assisi had made the gifts received bear fruit in order to reach as many souls as possible through the power of the Spirit of God and make known the salvific value of the Word made flesh.
St Clare too in her life was a fruitful tree, laden with good fruit, as Pope Alexander defined her in the Bull of canonisation 'Clara claris praeclara' (of 1255).
"This was the tall tree, stretching towards heaven, with expanded branches, which in the field of the Church produced sweet fruits of religion, and in whose pleasant and pleasant shade many followers flocked from all parts, and still flock to enjoy its fruits" (FF 3294).
These are the eloquent sign of a life truly given to God and the brethren.
"By their fruits you will recognise them [...] so every good tree bears good fruit, but the dead tree bears bad fruit" (Mt 7:16-17).
Wednesday of the 12th wk. in O.T. (Mt 7,15-20)