The birth of Jesus narrated in Matthew's Gospel highlights not only Isaiah's prophecy but also Joseph's obedience to God's plan.

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

As the little work in the Sources tells us: "Sacrum Commercium", Francis, a righteous and fearful man, married Our Lady Poverty, with a mutual exchange of gifts and promises, with a commitment of love and fidelity summed up by one word: "Covenant".

We read:

"Thus enamoured of your beauty, the Son of the Most High Father to you alone was closely united in the world and knew you for proof most faithful in all things.

Even before He came to earth from the splendour of His homeland, Thou didst prepare for Him a worthy habitation, a throne on which to sit, and a throne in which to rest, namely, the most poor Virgin, from whom He was born to shine upon this world.

To him as soon as he was born with solicitude you ran to meet him, so that he might find in you, and not in softness, a place that would be pleasing to him.

He was laid, says the evangelist, in a manger, because there was no room for him in the inn.

In the same way, never parting from him, you always accompanied him, so that throughout his life, when he appeared on earth and lived among men, while the foxes had their dens and the birds of heaven their nests, he had nowhere to lay his head.

And later when he, who had once opened the mouth of the prophets, opened his mouth to teach, he first wanted to praise you, he first exalted you with the words: blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (FF 1977).

This is echoed by Clare of Assisi, who in one of her letters to her spiritual daughter, writes:

"If, therefore, such and so great a Lord, coming down in the Virgin's womb, wanted to appear in the world as a despicable, needy and poor man, so that men - who were very poor and destitute, hungry because of the excessive scarcity of heavenly nourishment - might become rich in Him by possessing the heavenly realms, exult and enjoy greatly, filled with enormous joy and spiritual gladness" (FF 2865).

Weekday Liturgy, 18 December  (Mt 1:18-24)

In its universal dimension, Francis never even mentally created categories of people who were deserving or not deserving of salvation - for which Christ gave Himself on behalf of all.

Even unworthy names appear in the genealogy of Jesus, from a human point of view, attesting to the intermingling of Christ with our history, who came to redeem the 'deserving' and the undeserving, to become One with us, except for sin.

Francis, who thought it worthy to leave the habit who stripped his brother of his good name, actually strips himself of everything, of his own noble origin (the son of a rich merchant without too many scruples, and of Madonna Pica, a Frenchwoman from beyond the Alps, with a noble heart).

He reinserts himself into common history, breaking out of the enclosures in which people wanted to enclose him, and calling 'Father' He who is in heaven.

He makes all human history his own, and puts himself back, in poverty, in the following of Christ.

Francis departing from the social and commercial greed of his natural father, helped by the rectitude of his mother, Monna Pica, becomes an instrument of God, 

He is the son of a genealogy without beginning or end, no longer limited to those social strata animated by profit, to which the carnal bond wanted to bind him.

And in his spiritual family tree we will find people of all ranks who, converted to Christ, will make Francis' descendants more numerous than the stars or the sands of the sea.

From his mother he had inherited a tender and far-sighted heart, sensitive to the divine. 

"A mirror of righteousness, that woman presented in her conduct, so to speak, a visible sign of her virtue [...].

She bore, as a privilege, a certain resemblance to the ancient Elizabeth, both in the name she bestowed on her son and also in her prophetic spirit.

When neighbours expressed their admiration for Francis' generosity of spirit and moral integrity, she would repeat, almost divinely inspired:

«What do you think he will become, this son of mine? Know, that by his merits he will become a son of God» (FF 583).

And the Sources continue:

"Therefore the name of John is appropriate to the mission he carried out, that of Francis to his fame [...].

Among those born of women there arose none greater than this, and none more perfect than this among the founders of religious orders" (FF 583).

Weekday Liturgy, 17 December  (Mt 1,1-17)

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)