Before the disciples arguing about who was the greatest among them, Jesus educates them by placing before their eyes a child. This is the measure of their greatness.
So: acceptance and littleness are the credentials for the Kingdom set out in this Gospel passage. Let us look at these themes in the Sources.
Of a refined mind, who described himself as simple and idiotic, Francis understood very well the logic of the Gospel: let the one who wants to be great be the smallest, in the same way as a child, considered in times past to be of no value; minimal.
He endeavoured to make his brothers understand all this, more with deeds than words.
Nevertheless, in his "Letter to the Rulers of the Peoples" he writes:
"To all the podestas and consuls, magistrates and rulers of every part of the world [...] to whom this letter will reach, Brother Francis, your servant in the Lord God, small and contemptible, wishes you all health and peace" (FF 210).
Furthermore, we read in the Sources:
"The servant of God, Francis, small in stature, humble of spirit and a minor by profession, while living here on earth, chose for himself and his brothers a small portion of the world: otherwise, without using anything of this world, he would not have been able to serve Christ.
And they were certainly inspired by God who, in ancient times, called Porziuncola the place that fell to the lot of those who wanted absolutely nothing on this earth.
There stood in this place a church dedicated to the Virgin Mother, who, by her particular humility, deserved, after her Son, to be Sovereign of all Saints.
It was here that the Order of the Minors began, and their noble building rose up spacious and harmonious, as if resting on a solid foundation.
The Saint loved this place more than any other and commanded his friars to venerate it with special devotion.
He wanted it always to be kept as a mirror of the Order in humility and the highest poverty, reserving its ownership to others and keeping its use for himself and his own only" (FF 604).
And to his beloved brothers he repeated:
"We have promised great things, greater things are promised to us; let us observe those and aspire to them.
Pleasure is brief, punishment eternal; suffering small, glory infinite" (FF 778).
"The smallest among you is great [...] he who is not against you is for you" (Lk 9:48b.50b).
Monday of the 26th wk. in O.T. (Lk 9,46-50)
