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)

In Luke's Gospel, in c.6 Jesus introduces the discussion on the Sabbath of which He is Lord, at the service of life, more important than rules - and which in any case must not enslave the person, always at the centre of the work of salvation.

Francis of Assisi, the one who called himself simple and idiotic, had received authentic evangelical wisdom from on high.

He was not bound by commonplaces, he was a new man, free from tinsel and pre-established schemes, living only by the Word - declaring Jesus Lord.

In the Sources there is an episode that highlights this well:

"When Francis began to have brothers, he stayed with them at Rivotorto*.

Once, at midnight, while they were all resting [...] a friar suddenly cried out: I die! I die! All the others woke up stupefied and terrified.

Francis got up and said: «Arise, brothers, and light a lamp». Having lighted the lamp, the saint questioned:

«Who cried out: I die?». He answered: «It is I». Francis resumed:

«What is the matter with you brother? What are you dying of?». And he: «I am dying of hunger».

Francis, being a man full of goodness and kindness, immediately had the table prepared.

And so that the brother would not be ashamed to eat alone, they all sat down to eat with him [...].

After the meal Francis spoke:

«Just as we must refrain from excessive eating, harmful to body and soul, so, and even more, from excessive abstinence, since the Lord prefers mercy to sacrifice»" (FF 1545).

The Lord of the soul rules over all things!

And the Poor Man understood this well.

«The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath» (Lk 6:5)

*Rivotorto: locality in the plain of Assisi, about three kilometres from the Portiuncula.

Saturday of the 22nd wk. in O.T.  (Lk 6,1-5)

The text of Luke presents Jesus responding to the scribes and Pharisees 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 the point:

"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: "Nevertheless, 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, then they will fast in those days» (Lk 5:35)

Friday of the 22nd wk. in O.T.  (Lk 5:33-39)

After fishing all night without catching any fish, Peter threw himself at the knees of Jesus who made an incredibly fruitful catch, entrusting him and the other disciples with the mission of becoming fishers of souls for God.

In the Sources, Francis often exhorts his disciples not to be afraid of being considered unbalanced in order to proclaim the Gospel.

The Poverello, a man of God and rich in faith in the Lord, became by grace a 'fisher of men'. Indeed, many flocked to follow and listen to him.

The Franciscan documentation instructs:

"Francis, full of the grace of the Holy Spirit, to the six brothers [...] summoning them to himself from the forest that stretched near the Portiuncula, into which they often entered to pray [...].

He said:

«Beloved brothers, considering our vocation, God, in his mercy, has called us not only for our salvation, but also for that of many others.

Let us go therefore through the world, exhorting everyone, by example rather than by words, to do penance for their sins and to remember God's commandments».

He continued:

«Do not be afraid of being thought insignificant or deranged, but proclaim penance with courage and simplicity.

Trust in the Lord, who has overcome the world! He speaks by His Spirit in you and through you, admonishing men and women to be converted to Him and to observe His precepts.

You will meet some faithful, meek and benevolent ones, who will receive you and your words with joy.

Many more, however, will be the unbelieving, proud, blasphemers, who will insult you and resist you and your proclamation.

Propose to yourselves [...] to bear everything with patience and humility» " (FF 1440).

«Do not be afraid; from now on you will be a 'fisher' of men» (Lk 5:10)

Thursday of the 22nd wk. in O.T.  (Lk 5,1-11)

In today's passage, Jesus heals Peter's mother-in-law and, at sunset, many sick and possessed people, continuing his journey to announce the Good News of the Kingdom.

The Poverello of Assisi, among the many gifts received from on high, had that of preferring the proclamation of the Gospel, so that all might enjoy the encounter with Christ the Saviour.

In fact we read in the Sources, in the Vita Prima of Celano:

"In the midst of the despondency into which the doctrine of the Gospel had fallen, not in particular but in general, the Providence of God sent this man into the world, so that, like the apostles, he might be a witness to the truth before all men.

And truly he showed clearly, by word and example, how foolish earthly wisdom was, and in short, under the guidance of Christ, he led men, through the foolishness of preaching, to authentic divine Wisdom.

Thanks to this close union with Christ, he performed many healings of those who had recourse to him.

In fact: "A woman, infirm for many years and completely immobilised in her bed, as soon as she had made a vow to God and to blessed Francis, rose again healed and able to attend to all her occupations.

In the city of Narni there lived a woman who for eight years had had a withered hand that was completely useless. One day the blessed Father appeared to her and, touching her ailing hand, made it fit for work like the other" (FF 558).

Thus the Lord worked wonders of all kinds through his servant Francis.

«To the other cities also I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God, for I was sent for this»  (Lk 4:43)

Wednesday of the 22nd wk. in O.T.  (Lk 4:38-44)

In today's Gospel Jesus arouses amazement in people by his authoritative word, healing in the synagogue a possessed man who was trying to "exorcise" the presence of the Lord.

In the Franciscan Sources we find that assiduous contemplation and purity of life had made Francis powerful over evil by grace, 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 all over his mouth; his limbs now contracted, now stretched out, now rigid, now bent and twisted [...] 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 that gave no more room to evil.

«They were amazed at his teaching because his Word was with authority» (Lk 4:32)

Tuesday of the 22nd wk. in O.T.  (Lk 4:31-37)