Mar 13, 2026 Written by 

Prophet contradicted

In today's Gospel passage, Jesus, who proposed himself as the Fountain of True Water, is answered by people of the people, who assert:

«He is indeed the prophet!» (Jn 7:40) - and Pharisees who counter:

«from Galilee no prophet rises!» (Jn 7:52).

Two opposing theses, but verified and unhinged by facts at the moment when, on the cross, the centurion will say that the one who was crucified was indeed the Son of God.

Real events lay bare the truth.

This is what happened in the life of Francis of Assisi: events demonstrated the authentic and eloquent character of his naked living.

Consulting the Franciscan Sources, we encounter passages that truly underline his charisma as a prophet.

"Since the herald of Christ was famous for these and many other prodigies, people paid attention to his words as if he were speaking as an Angel of the Lord.

For the prerogative of the lofty virtues, the spirit of prophecy, the thaumaturgical power, the mission to preach coming from heaven, the obedience of creatures deprived of reason, the sudden conversions of hearts brought about by hearing his word, the knowledge infused by the Holy Spirit and superior to human doctrine, the authorisation to preach granted by the Supreme Pontiff by divine revelation, as well as the Rule, which defines the form of preaching, confirmed by the Vicar of Christ himself and, finally, the signs of the Supreme King impressed like a seal on his body, are like ten testimonies for the whole world and confirm without a shadow of a doubt that Francis, the herald of Christ, is worthy of all veneration for the mission received, authentic in the doctrine taught, admirable for holiness and that, therefore, he preached the Gospel of Christ as a true envoy of God" (FF 1221).

If for his total change of life there were those who called him a madman, the events of which he became the bearer confirm his prophetic charisma.

 

In Clare's Testament, compiled along the lines of that of the Poverello, we find something that corroborates what has been said above.

"While in fact, the Saint himself, who had as yet neither brothers nor companions, almost immediately after his conversion, was intent on repairing the church of San Damiano, where, receiving that visit from the Lord in which he was inebriated with celestial consolation, he felt the decisive urge to abandon the world altogether, in a transport of great joy and enlightened by the Holy Spirit, he prophesied concerning us what the Lord subsequently fulfilled" (FF 2826).

And again:

"Having climbed over the wall of the said church, so he cried out, in an open voice and in French, addressed to some poor people who were standing nearby:

«Come and help me in this work of the monastery of San Damiano, for soon women will come to inhabit it, and by the fame and holiness of their lives glory will be rendered to our heavenly Father throughout his holy Church» (FF 2827).

Could a prophet arise from Assisi?

Yes, a great prophet, if even today everyone recognises him and follows him with amazement for his extraordinary humility blossomed in multiple evangelical gifts, to the praise of God.

 

«Those in the crowd said, 'This is indeed the prophet!'» (Jn 7:40) [...].

«Study, and see that out of Galilee no prophet rises!» (Jn 7:52)

 

 

Saturday 4th wk. in Lent  (Jn 7:40-53)

73 Last modified on Friday, 13 March 2026 03:09
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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The people thought that Jesus was a prophet. This was not wrong, but it does not suffice; it is inadequate. In fact, it was a matter of delving deep, of recognizing the uniqueness of the person of Jesus of Nazareth and his newness. This is how it still is today: many people draw near to Jesus, as it were, from the outside (Pope Benedict)
La gente pensa che Gesù sia un profeta. Questo non è falso, ma non basta; è inadeguato. Si tratta, in effetti, di andare in profondità, di riconoscere la singolarità della persona di Gesù di Nazaret, la sua novità. Anche oggi è così: molti accostano Gesù, per così dire, dall’esterno (Papa Benedetto)
Because of this unique understanding, Jesus can present himself as the One who revealsr the Father with a knowledge that is the fruit of an intimate and mysterious reciprocity (John Paul II)
In forza di questa singolare intesa, Gesù può presentarsi come il rivelatore del Padre, con una conoscenza che è frutto di un'intima e misteriosa reciprocità (Giovanni Paolo II)
Yes, all the "miracles, wonders and signs" of Christ are in function of the revelation of him as Messiah, of him as the Son of God: of him who alone has the power to free man from sin and death. Of him who is truly the Savior of the world (John Paul II)
Sì, tutti i “miracoli, prodigi e segni” di Cristo sono in funzione della rivelazione di lui come Messia, di lui come Figlio di Dio: di lui che, solo, ha il potere di liberare l’uomo dal peccato e dalla morte. Di lui che veramente è il Salvatore del mondo (Giovanni Paolo II)
It is known that faith is man's response to the word of divine revelation. The miracle takes place in organic connection with this revealing word of God. It is a "sign" of his presence and of his work, a particularly intense sign (John Paul II)
È noto che la fede è una risposta dell’uomo alla parola della rivelazione divina. Il miracolo avviene in legame organico con questa parola di Dio rivelante. È un “segno” della sua presenza e del suo operare, un segno, si può dire, particolarmente intenso (Giovanni Paolo II)
In the rite of Baptism, the presentation of the candle lit from the large Paschal candle, a symbol of the Risen Christ, is a sign that helps us to understand what happens in the Sacrament. When our lives are enlightened by the mystery of Christ, we experience the joy of being liberated from all that threatens the full realization (Pope Benedict)
Nel rito del Battesimo, la consegna della candela, accesa al grande cero pasquale simbolo di Cristo Risorto, è un segno che aiuta a cogliere ciò che avviene nel Sacramento. Quando la nostra vita si lascia illuminare dal mistero di Cristo, sperimenta la gioia di essere liberata da tutto ciò che ne minaccia la piena realizzazione (Papa Benedetto)
Doing a good deed almost instinctively gives rise to the desire to be esteemed and admired for the good action, in other words to gain a reward. And on the one hand this closes us in on ourselves and on the other, it brings us out of ourselves because we live oriented to what others think of us or admire in us (Pope Benedict)
Quando si compie qualcosa di buono, quasi istintivamente nasce il desiderio di essere stimati e ammirati per la buona azione, di avere cioè una soddisfazione. E questo, da una parte rinchiude in se stessi, dall’altra porta fuori da se stessi, perché si vive proiettati verso quello che gli altri pensano di noi e ammirano in noi (Papa Benedetto)
Each of us can discover in Joseph – the man who goes unnoticed, a daily, discreet and hidden presence – an intercessor, a support and a guide in times of trouble [Patris Corde, intr.]

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