Today’s Gospel reading highlights the fledgling yet already unshakeable faith of a pagan woman who pleads for mercy for her daughter, who is tormented by a demon.
Francis of Assisi, a prophet of God who stood apart from the official institutional world, also performed marvellous deeds in this regard.
The Poor Man, champion of faith in Christ, performed healings through the power of the Spirit of God, both in life and in death.
His life of faith inspired many people who, benefiting from his witness, were healed of ailments and demonic possessions.
In this regard, the Sources provide us with various accounts:
“There lived in Foligno a man named Pietro. Setting out on a journey to visit the shrine of St Michael the Archangel […] he came to a spring; tired and thirsty, he began to drink the water; and it seemed to him as though he had swallowed demons. And indeed, from that very moment he remained possessed for three years, saying and doing horrendous things.
He made his way to the tomb of the most holy Father Francis, and arrived there still tormented by the demons, who were more furious with him than ever; as soon as he touched the tomb, he was, by an evident and clear miracle, completely and forever set free” (FF 554).
And again, Celano, in the First Life, recounts the faith of a child healed by Francis:
“Matteo, a child from Todi, had been lying in bed for eight days, more dead than alive: his mouth tightly shut, his eyes closed, his face, hands and feet blackened like a cauldron on the fire. Everyone thought there was no hope left.
One day, his mother prostrated herself in prayer, invoking the name and help of Francis.
When she rose, the child began to open his eyes, to see and to suckle milk. Shortly afterwards, as that black skin fell away, his flesh returned to its normal colour and he regained his strength and health.
As soon as she saw that he was out of danger, his mother asked him: «Who healed you, my son?».
The boy stammered in reply: «Ciccu, Ciccu».
They asked him again: «To whom do you owe this grace?». And the child replied: «Ciccu, Ciccu!» – thus shortening Francis’s name by half, for he was still very young and unable to speak properly” (FF 556).
The little ones, young in years but also in heart, obtain through faith what adults do not even know how to ask for or desire.
A firm faith is the object of Jesus’ admiration; he acts in accordance with the desire of those who live it, bringing forth new creatures.
«Woman, great [is] your Faith! Let it be done for you as you wish» (Mt 15:28)
20th Sunday in Ordinary Time, year A (Mt 15:21–28)
