John, highlights how God sent His Son Jesus into the world not to condemn it, but to save it through Him.

Francis so loved the Crucified One and for Him and in Him the Cross on which He was confined for the salvation of the world, that he received the gift of the stigmata.

Made like Christ, therefore Alter Christus. He had always fixed in his mind the Gift of the Father to humanity, in the Son.

The Sources illuminate in this regard:

"And we give thee thanks, because as thou hast created us through thy Son, so by thy holy love, with which thou hast loved us, thou hast brought forth the same true God and true man from the glorious ever-virgin most blessed Saint Mary, and, by the cross, blood and death of Him hast willed to redeem us from slavery" (FF 64).

And again: 'For he said that nothing is more important than the salvation of souls, and he proved this very often by the fact that the only-begotten of God deigned to be hung on the cross for souls [...] He did not consider himself a friend of Christ, if he did not love the souls He loved' (FF 758).

"One morning, as the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross approached, while he was praying on the side of the mountain, he saw a figure like a seraphim, with six wings as bright as they were fiery, descending from the sublimity of the heavens [...] He came close to the man of God, and then there appeared between his wings the effigy of a crucified man, who had his hands and feet spread out and confined on the cross [...He understood by divine revelation the purpose for which divine Providence had shown him that vision, that is, to make known to him in advance that he [...] was about to be transformed wholly into the visible portrait of Christ Jesus crucified [...] by the fire of the Spirit" (FF 1225).

Passing through pain and death would be the triumph of Life. A Cross blossomed in the Paschal Mystery.

«For so God loved the world that he gave his Son, the Only Begotten, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have the life of the Eternal One» (Jn 3:16)

Exaltation of the Holy Cross  (Jn 3:13-17)

This Sunday, the Liturgy presents the parable of the unforgiving servant, taken from the Gospel of Matthew.

Jesus highlights how everyone seeks understanding and forgiveness for themselves whilst applying a different standard to their neighbour. All this runs counter to the logic of the Gospel.

We are called to show compassion for our neighbour when they suffer the same afflictions we have experienced, abandoning the worldly logic of double standards.

For Francis of Assisi, compassion for a brother in difficulty, whether sick or facing any other problem, was a fundamental attitude that shaped his likeness to Christ.

We read of various episodes on this subject in the Sources.

We shall highlight one.

‘On another day during his preaching, a poor man, who was also infirm, came to the place where Francis was.

Feeling compassion for this man’s double misfortune—that is, poverty and illness—he began to speak with his companion about poverty.

He had already moved, in his regard for the sufferer, from pity to heartfelt affection, when his companion interrupted him:

«Yes, brother, he is poor, but perhaps there is no one in the whole province richer in desires».

The Saint rebuked him on the spot and ordered the companion, who was confessing his fault:

«Come now, quickly: take off your habit, kneel at the feet of the poor man and openly acknowledge your fault. And not only shall you ask him for forgiveness, but you shall also insist that he pray for you!»

The friar obeyed, and when he returned, having completed his penance, the Saint said to him:

«When you see a poor person, brother, the mirror of the Lord and of his poor Mother is set before you.

In the same way, in the sick, you must consider what infirmities he took upon himself for our sake!»

Truly, Francis always carried that small bundle of myrrh in his heart; he always gazed upon the face of his Christ; he always remained in contact with the Man of Sorrows, who knows all suffering (FF 672).

«You wicked servant! I forgave you that entire debt because you pleaded with me. Shouldn’t you also have had mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?» (Mt 18:32–33)

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time, year A  (Mt 18:21–35)

Jesus emphasises the main criterion for recognising the fruitfulness of the tree: noting what fruit it produces.

He also refers to the heart of every creature that says, says... but does not do.

Listen or don't listen!

The first rests on the Rock that He is, the second on not wanting to put His Word into practice, with the consequent ruin of each one.

Francis, the Little One of Assisi, drew goodness from his new heart. He was a fruitful tree, recognisable by his fruits.

In fact, the Sources inform us of an episode that bears witness to this:

"After several months had passed, Francis was staying at the church of the Porziuncola, and he was near the cell that stands behind the house, along the road, when that friar returned to speak to him about the psalter.

Francis said to him, «Go and do as your Minister tells you».

At these words, the friar began to return the way he had come.

But the Saint, remaining on the road, began to reflect on what he had said, and suddenly cried out after him:

«Wait for me, brother, wait for me!».

He went up to him and said:

«Come back with me, brother, and show me the place where I told you to do what the minister will tell you about the psalter».

When they reached that place, Francis bowed before the friar and, kneeling down, said:

«My fault, brother, my fault! Anyone who wants to be a 'minor' must have nothing but a tunic, a cord and breeches, as the Rule says, and in addition footwear, for those who are constrained by obvious necessity or illness».

He gave the same answer to all the friars who came to consult him on the subject.

He said: «A MAN KNOWS AS MUCH AS HE DOES; AND A RELIGIOUS IS AS GOOD A PREACHER AS HE ACTS».

As if to say: «A GOOD TREE IS KNOWN BY THE FRUIT IT PRODUCES» (FF 1628).

«Every tree is known by its fruit [...]

But why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?»  (Lk 6:44a, 46)

Saturday of the 23rd wk. in Ordinary Time  (Lk 6:43-49)

The Gospel casts its gaze on the blind guides of the blind [with nefarious results] and on those who pretend to remove the mote from their brother's eye while forgetting the beam that dwells in him.

Francis abhorred any judgement of the brothers, for he believed that every haughty expression addressed to them was, practically, addressed to God himself.

Clare advised the sisters to beware of judgement, detraction and murmuring:

«Let the sisters [...] beware of detraction and murmuring» (FF 2809).

In that treasure chest of riches that are the Sources we find many interesting narratives on the subject.

In the Regola bollata (1223) written by Francis we read:

«[The brethren] I admonish them, however, and exhort them not to despise and judge men whom they see dressed in soft and coloured clothing and using delicate food and drink, but rather let each one judge and despise himself» (FF 81).

And in the Letter to the Faithful he continues:

«Those then who have received authority to judge others, let them exercise judgement with mercy, just as they themselves wish to obtain mercy from the Lord: for judgement will be without mercy for those who have not used mercy» (FF 191).

To the brothers themselves:

"If it sometimes happened that a brother missed a word that could hurt, the remorse of conscience would not let him have peace, until he confessed his mistake, humbly throwing himself to the ground and begging the offended one to put a foot on his mouth [...].

The brothers undertook to banish all rancour and incompatibility, and to keep exchangeable love intact" (FF 1449).

Therefore the yardstick for every thought and expression was to look at oneself in honesty before God, leaving the gaze on others to Him.

«Can a blind man guide [another] blind man? [...]

Why do you look at the mote in your brother's eye but the beam in your own eye you do not see?» (Lk 6:39a.41)

Friday of the 23rd wk. in O.T.  (Lk 6:39-42)

In today's Gospel Jesus calls those who listen to love those who behave as enemies.

«Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you» (Lk 6:27).

Francis loved those who mocked and judged him - and invited his brothers to do likewise.

The Poor Man of Assisi had come to know Christ and, according to the Word of the Gospel, he committed himself to love everyone, even those who behaved as his enemies; to give as much as he had to the poor.

In fact, in the Franciscan Sources we find various episodes that signify these circumstances.

We read in the Admonitions he wrote:

"The Lord says: «Love your enemies [and do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who persecute and slander you]».

For truly he loves his enemy who does not grieve for the insult he does him, but burns in his innermost self for the love of God because of the sin of his soul. And let him show his love by his works" (FF 158).

The same father, who detested Francis' choice of poverty, persecuted him, driving his son into hiding.

The Sources attest:

"But Francis, an athlete still in his infancy, having been informed of the threats of the persecutors and anticipating their coming, wanted to leave time for anger and hid himself in a secret pit. He remained hidden there for some days, and in the meantime he unceasingly supplicated, amidst rivers of tears, to the Lord, that He might deliver him from the hands of the persecutors and bring to fulfilment, with His goodness and favour, the pious intentions He had inspired in him" (FF 1040).

And again:

"He went to visit [...] the tomb of the Apostle Peter. It was on this occasion that, seeing the great multitude of beggars before the door of that church, moved by a gentle compassion, and, at the same time, allured by the love of poverty, he gave his clothes to the neediest of them and, covered in their rags, he spent the whole day among the poor, with unusual joy of spirit" (FF 1037).

Giving had become for the Poverello the a-b-c of his daily living of the Word of God.

«...for with the measure wherewith ye measure, it shall be measured unto you» (Lk 6:38)

Thursday, 23rd wk. in O.T.  (Lk 6,27-38)

In the Gospel of Luke, the Beatitudes are contrasted with the "Woe" that the Lord pronounces towards the full of this world.

We dwell on the Beatitudes.

Jesus proclaims in them the love of God for every man, especially for the poor, the object of his predilection.

Francis looked upon the Beatitudes as a portrait of Christ and followed them because he was in love with Him.

He had great veneration not only for the Virgin Mary but also for all the saints.

Indeed, among his writings is an antiphon recited every hour:

«Holy Virgin Mary, there is none like thee, born in the world, among women, daughter and handmaid of the Most High and Supreme King the heavenly Father, mother of our most holy Lord Jesus Christ, spouse of the Holy Spirit; pray for us with Saint Michael the Archangel and with all the powers of heaven and with all the saints, to thy most holy beloved Son, Lord and Master. Glory be to the Father. As it was.» (FF 281).

The Sources underline that "the saints and their memory were for him like burning coals of fire, which revived in him the deifying fire" (FF 1167).

In the Admonitions of Francis we read:

«Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

There are many who persistently apply themselves to prayers and occupations, do many abstinences and corporal mortifications, but for a single word that seems an insult to their person, or for something that is taken away from them, scandalised, they quickly become irritated.

These are not poor in spirit, for he who is truly poor in spirit hates himself and loves those who strike them in the cheek» (FF 163).

«Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God".

«True peacemakers are those who in all the anxieties they endure in this world, for the love of our Lord Jesus Christ, keep peace in soul and body» (FF 164).

But in the same Canticle of Brother Sun, when he was very ill, he added the famous verse of forgiveness:

«Be praised, my Lord/ for those who, out of love for you, forgive/ and sustain infirmity and tribulation./

Blessed are those who will stand in peace,/ and by you, Most High, be crowned» (FF 1593).

Nevertheless, Clare of Assisi, in her wonderful Blessing to the sisters, turns her gaze to the whole assembly of saints in heaven and on earth:

«I pray to our Lord Jesus Christ through his mercy and through the Intercession of his most holy Mother Mary, of the blessed Archangel Michael and all the holy Angels of God, [of our blessed Father Francis] and of all the saints and holy women of God, that the same heavenly Father may bestow upon you and confirm this most holy blessing in heaven and on earth: on earth, multiplying you, by his Grace and virtues, among his servants in his Church militant; in heaven, exalting and glorifying you in his Church triumphant among his saints and holy ones» (FF 2855).

Clear beauty of a communion lived in the round with the Blessed who still walk the earth and with those who wave their palms before the throne of the Lamb in the heavenly Jerusalem.

«Blessed are the poor, for yours is the kingdom of God» (Lk 6:20b)

Wednesday of the 23rd wk. in O.T.  (Lk 6:20-26)

Today, the Gospel of Matthew tells us about Jesus' family tree and how he was conceived: Mary, his mother, found herself pregnant by the Holy Spirit.

The announcement to Joseph, Mary's husband, stands out:

«Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife» (Mt 1:20).

Looking through the Franciscan Sources, we see how Francis of Assisi always nurtured an indescribable love for the Mother of Jesus and followed her example in every situation where her virtues shone forth.

The Sources inform us in this regard:

"He surrounded the Mother of Jesus with unspeakable love, because she had made the Lord of Majesty our brother.

In her honour, he sang special praises, raised prayers, and offered so much affection that human language cannot express" (FF 786).

In his letter to the faithful, he writes:

"The Most High Heavenly Father, through the holy Angel Gabriel, announced this Word of the Father, so worthy, so Holy and glorious, in the womb of the holy and glorious Virgin Mary, and from her womb he received the true flesh of our humanity and frailty" (FF 181).

But, in my opinion, Francis' sublime prayer to Mary [which sums up well what she was to him] is the famous «Salutation to the Blessed Virgin Mary».

It reads as follows:

«Hail Holy Lady, Holy Queen,

Holy Mother of God, Mary,

who art a virgin made Church

and chosen by the most holy Heavenly Father,

who consecrated you

together with his most holy beloved Son

and with the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete;

you in whom was and is all fullness of grace and every good thing.

Hail, his palace,

Hail, his tabernacle,

Hail, his handmaid,

Hail, his Mother» (FF 259).

In addition, we note that Francis saw in Clare «the imprint of the Mother of God» and loved her for this reason.

In fact, he saw the constant presence of Mary in her life.

Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary  (Mt 1:1-16, 18-23)

Today’s Gospel highlights the hardness of heart of the Pharisees, who were quick to accuse Jesus for healing a paralysed hand.

For them, observance takes precedence over the person. And that is terrifying!

Francis, on the other hand, following in Christ’s footsteps, placed the well-being of the person – both physical and spiritual – at the centre.

After his conversion, the Little One of Assisi lived his life always doing good, without allowing himself to be influenced by the prevailing mindset; and he taught his friars to do the same, in the freedom of the children of God.

In the Sources – specifically in the Unconfirmed Rule (1221) – we find what he recommended to his brothers:

‘And even if they are accused of being hypocrites, let them not cease to do good’ (FF 8).

And again:

‘Let us bear fruits worthy of penance. And let us love our neighbours as ourselves’ (FF 189).

Thus Francis never missed an opportunity to do good; he who, filled with Grace, was showered with gifts for the service of others.

Indeed, the Lord, through the ‘Poverello’, performed many healings throughout the ages:

“In Gubbio, a paralysed woman repeated the name of Blessed Francis three times, and was immediately healed.

A certain Boniface, afflicted with excruciating pain in his hands and feet, could neither move nor walk, and had completely lost his sleep and appetite. One day a woman came to him and advised and urged him to entrust himself to Blessed Francis if he wished to be immediately delivered.

That man, who at first had almost gone mad because of the spasms, refused, saying: ‘I do not believe he is a saint’.

Then, yielding to the woman’s insistence, he made a vow as follows: ‘I entrust myself to the intercession of Francis and I shall consider him a saint if, within three days, he frees me from my illness’. And his prayer was immediately answered; he regained the ability to walk, his appetite and his sleep, and gave glory to Almighty God” (FF 559).

But the Saint, as mentioned above, was struck by the hardness of heart shown by some Romans in the face of the preaching of the Word.

In the Testimonies following Francis’s death we read:

“But the Roman people […] showered him with contempt, to such an extent that not only did they refuse to listen to him, but they also shunned his sermons. And for many days they continued to mock his preaching. Then Francis rebuked them for the hardness of their hearts, saying:

«I deeply lament your wretchedness, for not only do you shower me, the Lord’s servant, with contempt, but through me you bring shame upon that Redeemer of whom I proclaim the good news […]

I shall go and proclaim Christ to the beasts and the birds of the air; they will hear these words of salvation and obey God with all their hearts» (FF 2288).

«I ask you, is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save a life or to destroy it?» (Lk 6:6–11)

*It was a fairly widespread devotional practice in the Middle Ages to offer, as a votive offering to obtain a grace, figures made of wax, bread or metal, of the same weight or size as the supplicant.

Monday of the 23rd wk. in Ordinary Time  (Lk 6:6–11)

This Sunday, the Liturgy presents us with a passage from the Gospel of Matthew on fraternal correction and communal prayer.

Jesus urges us to correct a brother who has erred directly, without an intermediary, for if he listens, the erring brother is won over to God.

In the writings of Francis we read:

«Blessed is the servant who is willing to bear so patiently correction, accusation and reproach from another, as if he were inflicting them upon himself.

Blessed is the servant who, when reproached, accepts it good-naturedly, submits with modesty, humbly confesses and willingly makes amends.

Blessed is the servant who is not quick to make excuses and who humbly bears the shame and rebuke for a sin, even though he has committed no fault» (FF 172).

Clare, too, was a gentle sister in her corrections. She was always a caring Mother and a great example to her daughters and sisters in the Monastery of St Damian.

Even when it was necessary to exhort or rebuke, she knew how to correct with the loving kindness and wisdom that came from on high.

The Sources attest (Rule of St Clare):

«The abbess shall admonish and visit her sisters and correct them with humility and charity, commanding them nothing that is contrary to their soul or to the form of our profession» (FF 2806) .

And again, with a far-sighted and comprehensive vision, St Clare herself continues:

«I admonish and exhort, in the Lord Jesus Christ, all my sisters, both present and future, to strive always to imitate the way of holy simplicity, humility and poverty, and also the integrity of that holy life which was taught to us by our blessed Father Francis from the very beginning of our conversion to Christ» (FF 2845 – Testament).

«And loving one another in the love of Christ—that love which you have in your hearts—show it outwardly through your deeds, so that the sisters, inspired by this example, may always grow in the love of God and in mutual charity» (FF 2847).

«If your brother sins against you, go and point out his fault, just between the two of you; if he listens to you, you have won your brother back» (Mt 18:15).

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, year A  (Mt 18:15–20)