Francis, a man of God deeply rooted in humility and wholly devoted to proclaiming the Good News, asked God every day in prayer, «Who are you, Lord, and who am I?»

Jesus answered him through the healings He performed, even through His servant.

In fact, the Sources inform us:

"A woman from Coccorano, who was unable to use any of her limbs except her tongue, was carried on a mat stretcher to the saint's tomb. After a brief pause, she rose up completely healed.

Another citizen of Gubbio also brought his young son in a basket to the tomb of the Saint. 

He was so deformed that his tibias were completely atrophied and folded over his femurs. 

He was completely healed" (FF 551).

And again: "A certain Albertino of Narni had completely lost his sight and his eyelids drooped down to his cheekbones. As soon as he made a vow to Blessed Francis, he was promptly healed" (FF 553).

Jesus lets the world know that he continues to heal through his faithful servants, because «you will do greater things than these», he reminds us.

To those who ask him if he is the One awaited by the people, he responds with the eloquence of events and, over time, says to anyone who asks questions:

«Go and report [...] the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed» (Lk 7:22).

And Francis, who once (before his conversion) believed in words but now that he has encountered the Living One, believes more in deeds and the concreteness of life, continues the work of the Master by announcing:

«Go and tell that...»

The Good News of the Kingdom makes its way, and through the prophets of all times, it never fails to instruct and convince.

The deeds are a «go and tell» so that all may have life and have it in abundance, beginning in Bethlehem.

Wednesday, 3rd wk. in Advent  (Lk 7:19-23)

Today's Gospel emphasises the authoritativeness of Jesus in responding to the arrogant pretension of the Pharisees who asked with what authority he did the works he performed, astounding them.

In Francis, this eloquent trait stems from his genuine holiness, rooted in humility and silencing all insubordination among the brothers and the common people.

The humility of the Minim in the Assisian community made one reflect and silence any hidden or overt pretensions.

In the Sources there are interesting passages in this regard:

"Since his conversion, Francis, with the help of the Lord, founded himself and his house, that is, the Order, as a wise architect, on solid rock, that is, on the highest humility and poverty of the Son of God, and called it the Order of Friars Minor. Above the highest humility. For this reason, in the early days, when the brothers began to multiply, he wanted them to live in lazarettos to serve lepers [...]" (FF 1658).

And again: "In order to preserve a greater humility, a few years after his conversion, in a Chapter celebrated at the Portiuncula, he resigned the office of prelate, saying in the presence of all the brothers present:

"From now on I am dead for you. But here is brother Pietro Cattanio, whom I and all of you will obey'" (FF 1661).

He once said to the Minister General:

"I want you to entrust the care of me to one of my companions. I will obey him as I obey you: for by the good example and virtue of obedience I want you to remain with me always, in life and in death".

And in the Rule of St Clare (1253):

"And just as at the beginning of her conversion, together with her sisters, she promised obedience to blessed Francis, so she promises to keep it inviolably to her successors" (Bull of Pope Innocent IV, 2752).

With what authority did Francis, in the footsteps of his Master, do these things!

«By what authority do you do these things? And who gave you this authority?» (Mt 21:23)

Monday 3rd wk. in Advent  (Mt 21:23-27)

In this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus tells those present who John the Baptist is and how, in the Kingdom of God, the least is greater than him.

Sacred Scripture then reveals how Wisdom from above forms friends of God and prophets.

Francis, the Poor Man of Assisi, transformed by the power of the Spirit after his conversion, received the gift of prophecy and became, by Grace, «a prophet [...] and much more than a prophet» (Lk 7:26).

Perfect unity with God had transferred to him the characteristics of a true messenger, like John the Baptist.

Like the Precursor, in the period in which he lived and beyond, he prepared the way for the Lord, becoming the forerunner of a new and authentic way of living the Word, proclaimed with simplicity and boldness.

What Jesus said of John also applies to Francis:

«What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? [...] A man dressed in soft [garments]?» (Mt 11:7-8).

Francis, in the desert of this world, was not a creature in luxurious clothes, but the Herald of the Great King who cried out at the top of his voice against the clerical and civil squalor of his time.

His Abruzzese biographer, Celano, says:

"No one should be surprised if this prophet of our time was distinguished by such privileges: his intellect, free from the dense fog of earthly things and no longer subject to the temptations of the flesh, rose lightly to heavenly heights and immersed itself purely in the light.

Radiating in this way with the splendour of eternal light, he drew from the uncreated Word what echoed in words.

Oh, how different we are today, we who, enveloped in darkness, are ignorant even of the necessary things!” (FF 640).

And the Sources continue:

“No one was as greedy for gold as he was for poverty, nor was anyone more concerned with guarding a treasure than he was with the gem of the Gospel.

He felt particularly offended if he saw anything contrary to poverty in the friars, either at home or outside.

And in fact, from the beginning of his religious life until his death, his only possessions were a single habit, a cincture and trousers: he had nothing else.

His poor appearance clearly indicated where he accumulated his riches.

For this reason, happy, confident, agile in running, he enjoyed having exchanged it for a good that was worth a hundred times the riches destined to perish" (FF 641).

The Saint had made his home in God, living with his brotherhood in a poor church, later restored by the friars: St. Mary of the Porziuncola.

And Clare of Assisi, in her Testament, recalls:

"Our most blessed father Francis, following in his footsteps, chose for himself and his friars this holy poverty of the Son of God, and never, as long as he lived, did he stray from it in any way, either in word or in life" (FF 2837).

Third Advent Sunday (year A)  (Mt 11:2-11)