In today's Gospel Jesus announces that if we abide in his Word, we will be disciples and know the Truth that will set us free.
Francis, together with his brothers, made this statement his own and committed himself to abide in the Scripture.
He knew that the Son redeemed us to remain free in his commandments.
The Poverello well understood that the summary of them was mutual, fraternal love, to be exercised always, and for which Christ gave his life as a ransom for the multitudes.
This evangelical icon accompanied the Saint throughout his brief existence and governed his every gesture.
The truth of man met with the Truth of Christ who, on the cross, regenerated Francis.
It drew him from his cheerful and fearless life to that of the Beatitudes, structured on the identikit of Jesus.
The Minim understood that in them was hidden the Truth that liberates.
One above all: the poverty of the humble who, disengaged from themselves, relied only on God's mercy.
All this fermented at St Mary of the Angels.
The Sources are a unique collection of early experiences. Nothing can help us more than them to understand the raison d'être of Francis and his fraternity.
Celano says in the Early Life:
"And at last he called all creatures by the name of brother and sister, perceiving their secrets in an admirable way known to no one else, because he had conquered the freedom of glory reserved for the children of God.
And now in heaven he praises you with the angels, O Lord, who on earth preached you worthy of infinite love to all creatures" (FF 461).
In the Perugian Legend:
"Wherever the friars found writings with the words and names of the Lord not decently preserved or lying scattered in improper places, they should gather them up and set them aside, to honour the Lord in the words spoken by Him. For many things are sanctified through the word of God, and by virtue of the words of Christ the sacrament of the altar is brought about" (FF 1635).
Francis had at heart that his brothers be true disciples of the Word. Indeed, in the Major Legend, we read:
"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. Thus they will not separate the simplicity of the dove from the prudence of the serpent, which the unsurpassable Master has joined with his blessed word" (FF 1188).
But the Poverello's meekness and faithfulness to the Word of God made disciples even among the birds:
"In the city of Parma, a university student of good character, while engaged in study with some companions, annoyed by the importunate chatter of a swallow, began to say:
"This swallow must be one of those that disturbed the man of God Francis while he was once preaching, and which he silenced". Then, turning to the swallow, he said with faith:
"In the name of the servant of God Francis, I command you to come to me and be silent immediately!".
And the swallow, having heard the name of Francis, like a good disciple of the man of God, instantly fell silent and went to take refuge in the hands of the student.
Astonished, he immediately returned her to freedom: and she no longer heard his twittering" (FF 1208).
Even the swallows, much loved by Francis, in front of the Poor One who had made himself a disciple of the Word, felt the perfume of truth and conformed.
«If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free» (Jn 8:31)
Wednesday, 5th wk. in Lent (Jn 8:31-42)
