In Luke's Gospel, in c.6 Jesus introduces the discussion on the Sabbath of which He is Lord, at the service of life, more important than rules - and which in any case must not enslave the person, always at the centre of the work of salvation.
Francis of Assisi, the one who called himself simple and idiotic, had received authentic evangelical wisdom from on high.
He was not bound by commonplaces, he was a new man, free from tinsel and pre-established schemes, living only by the Word - declaring Jesus Lord.
In the Sources there is an episode that highlights this well:
"When Francis began to have brothers, he stayed with them at Rivotorto*.
Once, at midnight, while they were all resting [...] a friar suddenly cried out: I die! I die! All the others woke up stupefied and terrified.
Francis got up and said: "Arise, brothers, and light a lamp". Having lighted the lamp, the saint questioned:
"Who cried out: I die?" He answered: "It is I". Francis resumed:
"What is the matter with you brother? What are you dying of?" And he: "I am dying of hunger".
Francis, being a man full of goodness and kindness, immediately had the table prepared.
And so that the brother would not be ashamed to eat alone, they all sat down to eat with him [...].
After the meal Francis spoke:
'Just as we must refrain from excessive eating, harmful to body and soul, so, and even more, from excessive abstinence, since the Lord prefers mercy to sacrifice'" (FF 1545).
The Lord of the soul rules over all things!
And the Poor Man understood this well.
«The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath» (Lk 6:5)
*Rivotorto: locality in the plain of Assisi, about three kilometres from the Portiuncula.
Saturday of the 22nd wk. in O.T. (Lk 6,1-5)
