In its universal dimension, Francis never even mentally created categories of people who were deserving or not deserving of salvation - for which Christ gave Himself on behalf of all.
Even unworthy names appear in the genealogy of Jesus, from a human point of view, attesting to the intermingling of Christ with our history, who came to redeem the 'deserving' and the undeserving, to become One with us, except for sin.
Francis, who thought it worthy to leave the habit who stripped his brother of his good name, actually strips himself of everything, of his own noble origin (the son of a rich merchant without too many scruples, and of Madonna Pica, a Frenchwoman from beyond the Alps, with a noble heart).
He reinserts himself into common history, breaking out of the enclosures in which people wanted to enclose him, and calling 'Father' He who is in heaven.
He makes all human history his own, and puts himself back, in poverty, in the following of Christ.
Francis departing from the social and commercial greed of his natural father, helped by the rectitude of his mother, Monna Pica, becomes an instrument of God,
He is the son of a genealogy without beginning or end, no longer limited to those social strata animated by profit, to which the carnal bond wanted to bind him.
And in his spiritual family tree we will find people of all ranks who, converted to Christ, will make Francis' descendants more numerous than the stars or the sands of the sea.
From his mother he had inherited a tender and far-sighted heart, sensitive to the divine.
"A mirror of righteousness, that woman presented in her conduct, so to speak, a visible sign of her virtue [...].
She bore, as a privilege, a certain resemblance to the ancient Elizabeth, both in the name she bestowed on her son and also in her prophetic spirit.
When neighbours expressed their admiration for Francis' generosity of spirit and moral integrity, she would repeat, almost divinely inspired:
«What do you think he will become, this son of mine? Know, that by his merits he will become a son of God» (FF 583).
And the Sources continue:
"Therefore the name of John is appropriate to the mission he carried out, that of Francis to his fame [...].
Among those born of women there arose none greater than this, and none more perfect than this among the founders of religious orders" (FF 583).
Weekday Liturgy, 17 December (Mt 1,1-17)
