Aug 23, 2025 Written by 

He hated the sumptuousness of the first places

In this Sunday's Gospel according to Luke, Jesus emphasises the wisdom of those who choose the last place and the relative dishonour, in perfect gratuitousness.

The sources clearly show the Poverello's aversion to appearing and choosing conditions of prominence.

Francis loved God's poverty and humility and sought to follow them in every way in his life.

He hated the pomp of the front seats and wanted to feed on humiliation, following in the footsteps of the Son of God, who taught this in his Gospel.

Just read what Francis says to his brothers in his Letter to the Entire Order to be amazed at how much he loved humility.

"Look, brothers, at the humility of God, and open your hearts to him; humble yourselves also, so that you may be exalted by him.

Hold nothing back, therefore, so that he who offers himself totally to you may receive you totally" (FF 221).

And again, in the Leggenda maggiore by St. Bonaventure:

"Francis, both in himself and in others, preferred humility to all honours, and therefore God, who loves the humble, judged him worthy of the highest glory, as was shown by the vision of a very virtuous and devout friar.

This friar, a travelling companion of the man of God, was praying with him one day in an abandoned church when he was raptured into ecstasy.

He saw many seats in heaven, and among them one more splendid and glorious than all the others, studded with precious stones.

Admiring the splendour of that eminent throne, he began to wonder anxiously who was destined to occupy it [...]

He heard a voice saying to him:

"This seat belonged to one of the rebellious angels and is now reserved for the humble Francis."

Returning to himself [...] the friar followed the Saint as he was leaving the church.

They resumed their walk, talking to each other about God [...] and then that friar [...] skilfully seized the opportunity to ask Francis what he thought of himself.

And the humble servant of Christ said to him:

'I feel I am the greatest sinner'.

'If Christ had treated the most wicked of men with the same mercy and goodness with which he treated me, I am sure that he would be much more grateful to God than I am'.

The friar had confirmation that his vision was true, knowing well that, according to the testimony of the Holy Gospel, the truly humble will be raised to that exalted glory from which the proud are rejected" (FF 1111).

 

 

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, year C  (Lk 14:1,7-14)

140 Last modified on Saturday, 23 August 2025 03:45
Teresa Girolami

Teresa Girolami è laureata in Materie letterarie e Teologia. Ha pubblicato vari testi, fra cui: "Pellegrinaggio del cuore" (Ed. Piemme); "I Fiammiferi di Maria - La Madre di Dio in prosa e poesia"; "Tenerezza Scalza - Natura di donna"; co-autrice di "Dialogo e Solstizio".

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We come to bless him because of what he revealed, eight centuries ago, to a "Little", to the Poor Man of Assisi; - things in heaven and on earth, that philosophers "had not even dreamed"; - things hidden to those who are "wise" only humanly, and only humanly "intelligent"; - these "things" the Father, the Lord of heaven and earth, revealed to Francis and through Francis (Pope John Paul II)
Veniamo per benedirlo a motivo di ciò che egli ha rivelato, otto secoli fa, a un “Piccolo”, al Poverello d’Assisi; – le cose in cielo e sulla terra, che i filosofi “non avevano nemmeno sognato”; – le cose nascoste a coloro che sono “sapienti” soltanto umanamente, e soltanto umanamente “intelligenti”; – queste “cose” il Padre, il Signore del cielo e della terra, ha rivelato a Francesco e mediante Francesco (Papa Giovanni Paolo II)
We are faced with the «drama of the resistance to become saved persons» (Pope Francis)
Siamo davanti al «dramma della resistenza a essere salvati» (Papa Francesco)
That 'always seeing the face of the Father' is the highest manifestation of the worship of God. It can be said to constitute that 'heavenly liturgy', performed on behalf of the whole universe [John Paul II]
Quel “vedere sempre la faccia del Padre” è la manifestazione più alta dell’adorazione di Dio. Si può dire che essa costituisce quella “liturgia celeste”, compiuta a nome di tutto l’universo [Giovanni Paolo II]
Who is freer than the One who is the Almighty? He did not, however, live his freedom as an arbitrary power or as domination (Pope Benedict)
Chi è libero più di Lui che è l'Onnipotente? Egli però non ha vissuto la sua libertà come arbitrio o come dominio (Papa Benedetto)
Are they not all spirits charged with a ministry, sent to serve those who are to inherit salvation? (Heb 1:14)
Non sono essi tutti spiriti incaricati di un ministero, inviati per servire coloro che devono ereditare la salvezza? (Eb 1,14)
In order to convert, we must not wait for prodigious events, but open our heart to the Word of God, which calls us to love God and neighbour (Pope Francis)
Per convertirci, non dobbiamo aspettare eventi prodigiosi, ma aprire il cuore alla Parola di Dio, che ci chiama ad amare Dio e il prossimo (Papa Francesco)
And «each of us can say: "for love to me"» (Pope Francis)
E «ognuno di noi può dire: “per amore a me”» (Papa Francesco)
We too, to reach a more conscious confession of Jesus Christ must follow, like Peter, a path made of attentive, caring listening (Pope John Paul II)
Anche noi per giungere a una più consapevole confessione di Gesù Cristo dobbiamo percorrere, come Pietro, un cammino fatto di ascolto attento, premuroso (Papa Giovanni Paolo II)
It is a word that must be witnessed to and proclaimed explicitly, because without a consistent witness it proves to be less comprehensible and credible [Pope Benedict]
E’ una Parola che deve essere testimoniata e proclamata esplicitamente, perché senza una testimonianza coerente essa risulta meno comprensibile e credibile [Papa Benedetto]
The “reading and meditation of the word of God root us more deeply in Christ and guide our ministry as servants of reconciliation, justice and peace” (second Synod for Africa, Propositio 46)
La lettura e la meditazione della Parola di Dio ci radicano più profondamente in Cristo e orientano il nostro ministero di servitori della riconciliazione, della giustizia e della pace (Secondo Sinodo per l’Africa, Propositio 46)

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