Chapter 10 of Matthew continues to present us with a Jesus who asks his disciples, sent to preach the nearness of the Kingdom of Heaven, to give freely as they have received, trusting in Providence.

The Poor Man of Assisi followed Jesus' instructions to his disciples to the letter, committing himself to proclaiming the Gospel without taking anything with him.

Francis described himself as "simplex et idiota" (simple and stupid). For him, the transparency and simplicity of little ones was the key to the Kingdom of Heaven.

As Jesus says in the Gospel, he was convinced that only those who become like children in their mentality can understand the dynamics of the Kingdom, which requires the acceptance of the pure of heart, of those who live the Word without prejudice of any kind and with trust in God.

In the Franciscan Sources, the dimension of smallness and simplicity is transversal and marked, as many passages attest.

"The Saint practised holy simplicity with particular care and loved it in others, for it is the daughter of Grace, the true sister of wisdom and the mother of justice.

Not that he approved of every kind of simplicity, but only that which, content with its God, despises all else.

And that which places its glory in the fear of the Lord, and which knows neither how to say nor do evil.

Simplicity that examines itself and condemns no one in its judgement, that desires no office for itself, but considers it due and attributes it to the best [...]

It is simplicity that leaves the tortuousness of words, embellishments and frills in all divine laws, as well as ostentation and curiosity to those who want to lose themselves, and seeks not the bark but the marrow, not the shell but the kernel, not many things but the many, the highest and most stable Good" (FF 775).

This simplicity, sister of true wisdom, is characteristic of the little ones, the least, the children who welcome the Kingdom of God knocking at the door of their hearts.

The smallness of Francis, the framework of his evangelical life, is moving.

"Francis, a man of God, stripped of worldly things [...] committed himself to serving God in every way possible [...]

With ardent enthusiasm he will make this and similar appeals full of ingenuity, for this chosen one of God had a candid and childlike soul, did not resort to the learned language of human wisdom, but was simple and immediate in everything" (FF 1420).

"And in fact, everything that the heavenly Father has created for the benefit of men, he continues to give us freely even after sin, to the worthy as well as to the unworthy, because of the love he has for his beloved Son" (FF 1610).

"He was not ashamed to ask small things of those smaller than himself; he, the true minor, who had learned great things from the supreme Master.

He used to seek with singular zeal the way and means of serving God more perfectly, as He pleased Him best.

This was his supreme philosophy, this his supreme desire, as long as he lived: to ask the wise and the simple, the perfect and the imperfect, the young and the old, how he might most virtuously attain the summit of perfection" (FF 1205 - Leggenda maggiore).

Francis loved with the heart of a child and taught this to his friars and to the poor ladies of St Damian, virtuous sisters on the path of faith, among whom Clare shone for her humility and transparency.

This young woman gave witness to the light; she was a morning star in becoming a child at the service of God, following in the footsteps of Christ, following the example of her blessed father Francis, a true lover and imitator of Him.

«Freely you have received, freely give» (Mt 10:8)

Thursday of the 14th wk. in Ordinary Time (Mt 10:7-15)

Who knows how many times Francis, the Herald of the Great King, in reading this passage from Matthew must have thought that in order to announce the Kingdom of God he would travel the whole earth to bring souls to Christ and to reach the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

«Would you do that?».

Francis must surely have asked himself this disarming question, to which his whole eloquent existence was answered: "Yes, without a doubt!".

For a single sheep of his flock he would certainly have left the others safe in search of the lost one.

«Let us look closely, brothers all, at the good Shepherd who, in order to save his sheep, endured the passion of the cross» (FF 155 - Admonitions).

He, who used to call Brother Leo "God's sheep", would have faced any adversity to find it, and for this he sought martyrdom even before the Sultan of Egypt, to win it for Christ.

The Sources, through the Major Legend, report:

"Francis, the servant of God, with an intrepid heart answered [the Sultan] that he had been sent not by men, but by God most high, to show him and his people the way to salvation and to proclaim the Gospel of truth.

And he preached to the Sultan the triune God and the Saviour of all, Jesus Christ, with so much courage, with so much strength and so much fervour of spirit, as to make it clearly evident that the promise of the Gospel was being fulfilled with full truth: I will give you a language and a wisdom which none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict" (FF 1173).

Rich in tenderness and mercy, it is an episode that highlights the shepherd heart of the Poor Man and his concern for the Kingdom of God.

We find in the Sources:

"Once crossing the March of Ancona, after preaching in the same city, and heading towards Osimo, in the company of Brother Paul, whom he had elected minister to all the brothers of that province, he met a shepherd in the countryside, who was grazing his flock of rams and goats.

In the midst of the flock was a single sheep, quietly and humbly grazing on the grass.

As soon as he saw it, Francis stopped, and as if he had had a grip on his heart, full of compassion he said to his brother:

«Do you see that lonely and meek sheep among the goats? Our Lord Jesus Christ, surrounded and hunted down by the Pharisees and Sanhedrites, must have looked just like that humble creature.

Therefore I beseech thee, my son, for love of Him, be thou also full of compassion, let us buy her and take her away from these goats and goatherds» (FF 456).

«Depart, preach, saying that the kingdom of heaven has come near» (Mt 10:7)

Wednesday of the 14th wk. in O.T.  (Mt 10,1-7)

In today's Gospel we see Jesus going through towns and villages proclaiming the Kingdom of God and healing the sick.

Assiduous contemplation and purity of life had made Francis powerful, by grace, even over the power of evil, making him a credible witness to the Lord through numerous healings.

The Sources eloquently illuminate in this regard:

"People of all ages [...] ran to see and hear that new man.

He pilgrimaged through the various regions, fervently proclaiming the Gospel; and the Lord cooperated, confirming the Word with the miracles that accompanied it.

Indeed, in the name of the Lord, Francis, preacher of the truth, cast out demons, healed the sick" (FF 1212).

Once "I do not know how to qualify the horrible illness from which a brother suffered, some attributed it to the presence of an evil devil.

The poor man would often throw himself to the ground and, squinting his eyes in a horrible way, he would foam at the mouth; his limbs would now contract, now stretch, now stiff, now bent and twisted...

The saint Francis had immense compassion for him, went to him, blessed him, humbly praying to God, and the sick man obtained prompt and complete health and never suffered such an evil again" (FF 440).

"In Città di Castello a woman was possessed by an evil and furious spirit: as soon as the Saint [...] had obediently ordered [him to come out of her], the demon fled full of indignation, leaving the poor obsessed woman free in body and soul" (FF 1219)

Francis had married the Light, obscuring the power of evil.

The Minim had compassion on the tired and exhausted crowds that followed him and, in prayer, his constant refuge, he asked God for labourers for the abundant harvest.

He also asked his brothers to pray much for this cause.

Like Jesus, the Saint travelled through all the towns and villages, preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom and healing every sickness and every infirmity (cf. Mt 9:35).

Tuesday of the 14th wk. in O.T.  (Mt 9,32-38)

Today's Gospel highlights Jesus resurrecting a dead girl and the healing of a woman who had been suffering from loss of blood for a long time.

Jesus saves both, and to the woman he says:

«Take courage, daughter, your faith has saved you» (Mt 9:22).

Like Jesus, Francis the Simple did not humiliate the needy, but went to them and saved them through faith in God.

The Sources recount:

"In the diocese of Sora, a noblewoman named Rogata had been suffering from loss of blood for twenty-three years. It should be added that she had resorted to many doctors, resulting in a great deal of ill health.

Often, as the illness worsened, she seemed to be dying. If the bleeding could be stopped, her whole body would swell.

She happened to hear a young man singing in the Roman vernacular the story of the miracles wrought by God through St Francis, and then, dissolving into tears from emotion and pain, she began to say thus:

«O blessed Father Francis, who shines through so many miracles, if you deign to free me from this illness, you will have great glory, because you have never performed such a great miracle until now».

To what so many words? She had scarcely finished speaking when she felt cured by the merits of blessed Francis.

Even a woman from Sicily, who had suffered loss of blood for seven years, was healed by the holy bishop of Christ" (FF 1314).

Faith in Jesus and his servants works wonderful things!

Monday of the 14th wk. in O.T.  (Mt 9,18-26)

«I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children» (Mt 11:25).

This Sunday in Ordinary Time focuses our attention on a fundamental theme.

Jesus is the only one who can truly call the Lord of heaven and earth ‘Father’, yet through this intimacy he brings everyone into his presence.

Chiara, a young shoot of her blessed father Francis, through her special gift of simplicity and smallness, had attained, by Grace, such great intimacy with the Lord that she moved in total harmony with Him.

Consulting the Sources, in the Legend we read of the degree of intimate union between the Saint and her divine Spouse.

‘How much strength and support she received in the furnace of fervent prayer, and how sweet divine goodness was to her in that experience, is borne out by clear evidence.

For whenever she returned from the joy of holy prayer, she brought back from the fire of the Lord’s altar words so fervent that they set the sisters’ hearts ablaze.

Indeed, they observed with admiration that a certain sweetness radiated from her face and that her countenance seemed brighter than usual” (FF 3199).

In a letter to Ermentrude of Bruges*, she advises:

«Always be attentive and vigilant in prayer. Bring to completion the good you have begun, and fulfil the mystery you have embraced in holy poverty and sincere humility» (FF 2916).

Such was Clare, a simple and humble soul, capable of rejoicing in every gift received, in every tiny reality that spoke to her of the Eternal One.

“She welcomed with great joy the scraps of alms, the bits of bread that the alms-seekers brought back; and, almost saddened by whole loaves, she was happy instead with those little pieces” (FF 3188).

A woman conformed to Christ in every way, she considered herself nothing before God.

In her Testament, she exhorted the sisters to meekness and humility of heart, like a loving Mother:

«I also beg the one who will be in charge of the sisters to endeavour to lead the others more by the virtues and holiness of her life than by her position, so that, inspired by her example, the sisters may obey her, not so much because of the office she holds, but out of love.

May she, moreover, be caring and discreet towards her sisters, like a good mother towards her daughters […]

May she also be so affable and approachable to all that the sisters may confidently share their needs with her and turn to her at any time with trust […]» (FF 2848).

Meekness and humility: the stature of the little ones, to whom the Mysteries of the Kingdom are revealed, finding consolation in loving with the sentiments of Christ.

*Ermentrude of Bruges: she was responsible for the spread of the Order of St Clare in Flanders.

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time, year A  (Mt 11:25–30)

Jesus answers John's disciples about fasting. Now the Bridegroom is with them and they will not fast; when he is taken from them they will fast.

Logic that breaks down the legalistic mentality.

In the Sources we have various passages that highlight the Poor Man of Assisi's way of acting on this subject.

The Minim forbade excesses.

Francis knew well how to discern between the importance of fasting and exaggeration in practising it.

In his life, never did form take the place of substance. The Franciscan Sources illustrate:

"Francis reproached his brothers who were too hard on themselves and who were exhausted by vigils, fasts, prayers and corporal penances [...].

The man of God forbade such excesses, admonishing those brothers lovingly and calling them to common sense, healing their wounds with the medicine of wise instructions [...].

He spoke with them, identifying himself with their situation, not as a judge then, but as an understanding father with his children and as a compassionate doctor with his own sick.

He knew how to be sick with the sick, afflicted with the afflicted" (FF 1470).

All this while being "a new man, [who] with new virtues renewed the way of perfection that had disappeared from the world" (FF 3162).

As a mature and profoundly human person, he knew how to help his brothers, evaluating the different situations he had before him.

In the Legend of the Three Companions: "However, when it was appropriate, he chastised those who committed offences" (FF 1470).

Francis had received, by Grace, the immeasurable gift of true discernment.

The Little One did not betray substance for form: he kept both in a sensible human and spiritual balance.

«But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast» (Mt 9:15)

Saturday of the 13th wk. in O.T.  (Mt 9:14-17)

On the first day of the week, Jesus came to the disciples while they were gathered behind closed doors.

He entrusted them with the mission of proclaiming the Good News, 'breathing' on them so that they might receive the Holy Spirit.

Thomas, who was absent, found it hard to believe and was rebuked by Jesus for demanding to see and touch, without accepting the testimony of the other disciples.

Yet Thomas sought a first-hand experience of the Risen One.

The Poor Man of Assisi and his brothers grew in faith through their active encounter with the Lord in the poverty they lived, in the solitude and prayer they experienced in their daily lives.

Faith in Jesus, who died on the cross as a criminal to assure us of eternal life, overflowed in the bare existence of Francis and his brothers.

It was certainly a divine gift, but also the fruit of a non-formal relationship that developed along the path they had taken.

It is worth remembering what the Sources attest:

"[Francis] taught them to praise God in all creatures; to honour priests with special veneration; to believe firmly and confess openly the truth of the faith [...]

They observed in everything the teachings of their holy father, and as soon as they saw a church or a cross from afar, they turned towards it, prostrated themselves humbly on the ground and prayed in the manner they had been taught" (FF 1069).

Chiara herself, in her Letter to Ermentrude of Bruges, regarding the life of Fede, suggests:

«Remain, therefore, my dearest, faithful until death to Him to whom you have bound yourself forever. And you will certainly be crowned by Him with the crown of life.

The time of toil here below is short, but the reward is eternal.

Do not be dazzled by the splendours of the world that pass like a shadow.

Do not be surprised by the empty images of this deceitful world; close your ears to the whispers of hell and strongly resist its temptations.

Bear adversity willingly, and do not let pride swell your heart in prosperous times; the former call you back to your faith, the latter demand it» (FF 2914).

The experience of God in their lives had been so strong, incisive and merciful that they could speak as no one had ever done before.

‘Thomas answered him and said, «The Lord of mine and the God of mine!»’ (Jn 20:28)

3 July, St Thomas the Apostle  (Jn 20:24-29)

By virtue of the faith testified to by the bystanders, Jesus heals not only the limbs of a sick person but, more radically, frees one from sins; a fact that scandalised the scribes with an evil eye. 

In Francis, perfectly conformed to Christ, this prerogative was repeated thanks to God's plan for him, open to divine Love.

The Franciscan Sources constitute "the vocabulary" of the life of the Poverello and the beginnings of his fraternity, with multiple episodes that reveal Francis' introspection and his holy operation through the Holy Spirit in him.

The Sources attribute to Francis 10 prodigies relating to healed paralysis. They are extensively mentioned in the Major Legend.

We quote some of them to testify how the Lord worked greatly through his servant:

"There was near the town of Orte, a child all shrunken up, who had his head joined to his feet and several bones broken.

Moved by the tears and prayers of his parents, the saint blessed him with the sign of the cross, and he stood up with his limbs well stretched out, instantly healed" (FF 1216).

Again: “In the diocese of Rieti, a weeping mother presented her child to him, who had been so swollen for four years that he could not even see his own legs: the Saint barely touched him with his sacred hands and made him perfectly healthy” (FF 1215).

Where eminent Faith is alive, God works wonders with His instruments; indeed, He endows them with His own powers and enables them to work greater things with Him.

«And seeing Jesus their faith, he said to the paralytic, 'Take courage, son, your sins are forgiven'» (Mt 9:2)

Thursday of the 13th wk. in O.T. (Mt 9,1-8)