The few verses of chapter nine of Luke, taken up in today's liturgy, shed light on Herod's dilemma concerning Jesus:

«John, I have had him beheaded; now who is he of whom I hear such things?» (Lk 9:9).

And he wanted to see him!

In the Franciscan Sources we find passages that reveal how

people did not stop questioning the Poverello.

After his conversion, Francis of Assisi was clothed by God with singular charisms that he held in the humility of hiddenness.

But the wonders the Lord performed through the Poverello spoke for him.

His simple life in the footsteps of Christ aroused amazement and bewilderment. People did not cease to wonder about his person and what he accomplished.

The Sources enlighten:

"Even the sick who ate the bread touched by the man of God quickly obtained healing by divine intervention" (FF 1220).

"Since the herald of Christ was famous for these and many other prodigies, people paid attention to his words, as if an Angel of the Lord were speaking.

Indeed, the prerogative of the lofty virtues, the spirit of prophecy, the thaumaturgical power, the mission to preach coming from Heaven, the obedience of creatures deprived of reason, the sudden conversions of hearts brought about by hearing his word, the knowledge infused by the Holy Spirit and superior to human doctrine, the authorisation to preach granted by the Supreme Pontiff by divine revelation, as well as the Rule, which defines the form of preaching, confirmed by the Vicar of Christ himself and, finally, the signs of the Supreme King impressed like a seal in his body, are like ten testimonies for the whole world and confirm without a shadow of doubt that Francis, the herald of Christ, is worthy of veneration for the mission he received, authentic in the doctrine he taught, admirable for his holiness and that, therefore, he preached the Gospel of Christ as a true envoy of God" (FF 1221).

Even today, all this raises questions: «Who, then, is he?».

The Sources add: "that Wisdom which is nobler than all motion and penetrates everywhere by its purity, communicates itself to holy souls and forms God's friends and prophets" (FF 1202).

Thursday of the 25th wk. in O.T.  (Lk 9,7-9)

The Liturgy proposes to us the sending of the Twelve to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

After repairing the Church of St Mary of the Angels, hearing a Gospel passage proclaiming the Good News, Francis leaves everything and accepts Christ's mandate.

In the Franciscan Sources we find on this subject:

"One day when the Gospel passage was being read in this church concerning the mandate given to the Apostles to preach, the Saint, who was present and had only guessed the general meaning, after Mass, asked the priest to explain the passage to him.

The priest commented on it to him point by point, and Francis, hearing that the disciples of Christ must possess neither gold, nor silver, nor money, nor saddlebags, nor bread, nor staff for the road, nor have shoes, nor two tunics, but only preach the Kingdom of God and penance [Lk 9:1-6], immediately, exulting in the Holy Spirit, exclaimed:

"This I want, this I ask, this I long to do with all my heart!".

The holy father then hastens, all full of joy, to carry out the salutary admonition; he bears no delay in faithfully putting into practice what he has heard: he loosens his shoes from his feet, abandons his staff, makes do with a single tunic, and replaces his belt with a cord.

From that instant, he makes for himself a robe that reproduces the image of the cross, to keep away the devil's seductions; he makes it very rough, to crucify the flesh and all its vices and sins, and so poor and coarse that the world cannot envy him" (FF 356).

"In certain regions they were welcomed, but without allowing them to build dwellings. Elsewhere, they were driven out, for fear that they were heretics" (FF 1475).

«And he sent them out preaching the kingdom of God and to heal [the sick]» (Lk 9:2)

Wednesday, 25th wk. in O.T.  (Lk 9,1-6)

Jesus calls to reflect on who his mother and brothers are: «these who hear the Word of God and do it» (Lk 8:21).

Francis, who considered himself simple and idiotic, passionately loved the Word of God.

In fact, when he came across the Letters on the ground, he would pick them up and give them due consideration.

This is attested by the Sources, in the first letter (written by him) to the Keepers:

"Even the writings containing the names and words of the Lord, wherever they are found in inconvenient places, let them be collected and placed in a worthy place" (FF 242).

Clare herself, a little plant of the Seraphic Father, recalls in her Testament how much Francis loved and lived the Word, giving it as an example:

"The Son of God became our way; and this by word and example our blessed Father Francis, true lover and imitator of Him, showed and taught us" (FF 2824).

And to those who asked him if he was pleased that educated people should enter the Order, he replied:

"I have pleasure in it; provided, however, that, following the example of Christ, of whom we read not so much that he studied as that he prayed, they do not neglect to dedicate themselves to prayer, and provided they study not so much to know how they should speak, as to put into practice the things they have learned, and, only when they have put them into practice, propose them to others.

I want my brothers to be disciples of the Gospel and to progress in the knowledge of the truth, so that at the same time they may grow in the purity of simplicity" (FF 1188).

"And the principal reason why he revered the ministers of the Word of God was this: that they revive the offspring of their dead brother, that is, they revive Christ, who was crucified for sinners, when they convert them, being their guide with pious solicitude and solicitous piety.

He affirmed that this office of piety is more pleasing than any sacrifice to the Father of mercies, especially if it is fulfilled with zeal dictated by perfect charity, so that one labours in it more by example than by word, more by the tears of prayer than by the loquacity of speeches" (FF 1135).

"For he had never been a deaf hearer of the Gospel, but, entrusting everything he heard to a commendable memory, he sought with all diligence to follow it to the letter" (FF 357).

Tuesday of the 25th wk. in O.T. (Lk 8,19-21)

The passage from Luke proposed today emphasises the clarity of the lamp, which is not to be dimmed but exalted in order to spread.

Jesus also insists on the need for proper dispositions to hear the Word.

We also discover the reverberation of all this in the Franciscan Sources.

The Poor Man of Assisi, the light of the Order of Minors, had understood by grace that on how we listen to the Word of God depends the fruits.

That is why we read in his writings:

"And since he who is of God LISTENS TO THE WORDS OF GOD, therefore we, who in a very special way are deputed to the divine offices, must not only listen to and practise what God says, but also, in order to root in us the loftiness of our Creator and our submission to him, guard the sacred vessels and liturgical books, which contain the holy words" (Letter to all Clerics, FF 224).

He knew that listening affects the brilliance of witness, so much so that, in the Vita Seconda of Celano, it is noted:

"The Friars Minor have been sent by the Lord in this last time to offer examples of light to those who are shrouded in the darkness of sins" (FF 739).

Likewise Clare, prophesied from her mother's womb to be a light for the world, is looked upon as a special gift of God for humanity in the Letter of Introduction to the Legend:

"Therefore merciful God raised up the venerable virgin Clare, and in her he made a very bright lamp to shine for women" (FF 3151), this one not to be placed under the bushel, but on the lampstand to give light to us all.

She loved and sought to listen attentively to the Word. Indeed:

"She provides her daughters, through devoted preachers, with the nourishment of the Word of God, of which she reserves a large portion for herself. Such joy [...] pervades her in listening to holy preaching" (FF 3230).

"When, in fact, she returned in the joy of holy prayer, she brought back from the fire of the altar of the Lord burning words, such as inflamed the hearts of the sisters.

They noted with admiration that a certain sweetness radiated from her face and that her face seemed brighter than usual.

Certainly, in his gentleness, God had given the poor girl convocation and, after having flooded her soul in prayer with his TRUE LIGHT, he manifested it outside perceptibly" (FF 3199).

Bright Clare by virtue shines in the Church as a lamp on the candelabra, illuminating the darkness of this world.

«Now no one lights a lamp and covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but places it on a lampstand, so that those who enter may see the light» (Lk 8:16)

Monday of the 25th wk. in O.T.  (Lk 8:16-18)

Caught red-handed, before being dismissed, the dishonest administrator knows how to make friends with the same dishonest wealth.

Jesus, addressing his disciples, emphasises that the children of this world are more astute than the children of light.

Francis of Assisi is the one who knew how to make friends in Heaven with dishonest wealth, with transparent prudence.

He did not love it; in fact, he gave everything back publicly, marrying Lady Poverty.

But his merit was that he knew how to make use of earthly goods in a wise, evangelical way. 

In the new path he undertook, he distinguished himself for that inner eye 

that sees, in perspective, where earthly appetite leads.

He always recommended giving goods not to relatives, but to the poorest, 

because in them one encounters the Poor One par excellence: Christ!

He urged his followers to make friends in heaven with dishonest wealth and to receive in return that imperishable wealth which smells of resurrection.

He, who had lived in luxury in his youth, knew well where blind love for possessions led.

The Franciscan Sources, a place of spiritual wealth, highlight this: 

"Even on major feast days, when the opportunity arose, he used to go out begging. 

For, he said, in God's poor, the words of the prophet are fulfilled: man has eaten the bread of Angels.

The bread of Angels is that which holy poverty gathers from door to door and which, asked for the love of God, is given for the love of God, at the suggestion of the holy Angels" (Sources 1129).

And in Clare's Rule, we see how she speaks of poverty to her sisters:

"This shall be your inheritance, which introduces you into the land of the living. Adhering totally to it, never desire, beloved sisters, to have anything else under heaven, for the love of our Lord Jesus Christ and his most holy Mother" (Sources 2795).

They knew, in fact, that the goods given to those in need are the cornerstone of following Jesus and his Holy Word made flesh.

Guided by the Gospel, therefore, they never wanted to follow two masters: God and wealth, but to clothe themselves solely in Christ, for more lasting goods. 

Lighter, for Heaven's sake!

"Make friends for yourselves with unrighteous mammon, so that when it fails, they may receive you into the eternal tents" 

«Make friends for yourselves with unrighteous mammon, so that when it fails, they may receive you into the eternal tents» (Lk 16:9)

Sunday 25th in O.T. (year C)  (Lk 16:1-13)

In this liturgy, the passage from Luke presents the parable of the Sower and the reception of the various soils; a parallel with the Word of God assimilated in different ways. 

The new Evangelist of recent times, Francis, was enamoured with the Word and listened to it constantly, so much so that it was imprinted in his memory.

He was good soil that produced a hundredfold.

The Sources inform us:

"Radiant with the splendour of eternal light, he scrutinised the depths of the Scriptures with a clear and sharp intellect. His mind, pure of all stain, penetrated the secret of mysteries [...]

He read the sacred books from time to time and kept what he had once assimilated firmly imprinted in his memory, since he continually ruminated with affectionate devotion on what he had heard with an attentive mind" (FF 1188).

"With equal care and devotion, he committed himself to carrying out the other teachings he had heard.

In fact, he had never been a deaf listener to the Gospel, but, entrusting everything he heard to his commendable memory, he sought with every diligence to carry it out to the letter" (FF 357).

As Celano calls him in the First Life - "river of Paradise" - Francis, "the new evangelist of this last time, spread the waters of the Gospel with loving care throughout the whole world, and by his works he showed the way and the true doctrine of the Son of God" (FF 475).

In the Earlier Rule (1221):

"Let us therefore remain faithful to the words, life, doctrine and Holy Gospel of Him who deigned to pray for us to the Father" (FF 62).

And "let us beware of being the soil along the road, or the stony ground, or the ground overgrown with thorns, as the Lord says in the Gospel:

'The seed is the Word of God [...] the seed entrusted to good soil are those who, listening to the word with good, indeed excellent dispositions, understand it and keep it and bear fruit with perseverance'" (FF 58).

«The Sower went out to sow his seed [...] The seed is the Word of God» (Lk 8:5a, 11b)

Saturday of the 24th wk. in Ordinary Time  (Lk 8:4-15)

Chapter eight of Luke, at the beginning, speaks of the proclamation of the Good News of the Kingdom by Jesus and the Twelve, and of the following of women who, healed, follow the Lord, putting all they possess at their service.

Opening the Franciscan window we see that, after having known the Lord's will by divine inspiration, Francis, the Minim, devotes himself body and soul to fulfil the mission entrusted to him by God.

His task: to announce the Kingdom, to make the Good News known to people in poverty, renouncing everything that was not indispensable.

The Sources are extraordinarily rich in this regard.

"One day, while listening to Mass, he heard the instructions given by Christ when he sent his disciples to preach [...] He understood these instructions better afterwards, having the passage explained to him by the priest.

Then, beaming with joy, he exclaimed:

"This is precisely what I long to accomplish with all my strength!".

And fixing those directives in his memory, he undertook to carry them out happily [...].

He got rid of everything he owned that was double [...] He made himself a poor, coarse tunic and, instead of a leather belt, he tightened his hips with a rope.

Inspired by God, he began to proclaim the perfection of the Gospel, preaching penance to all, with simplicity.

His words were not frivolous [...] but full of the virtue of the Holy Spirit they penetrated into the depths of consciences, so as to touch his listeners vividly" (FF 1427).

"The man of God, Francis, animated by the Spirit of the prophets and following their language, as if echoing his forerunner, announced peace and preached salvation" (FF 1428).

"An increasing number of people were attracted by the frankness and truthfulness of Francis' teaching and life.

Two years after his conversion, some men felt encouraged by his example to do penance and join him, renouncing everything, wearing the same habit and leading the same life" (FF 1429).

The first woman to follow Francis was Clare, who left her father's house and followed him to live the Gospel.

"Noble by birth, nobler by grace [...] Clare by name, clearer by life, clearer by virtue" (FF 351).

Following her example, the other sisters also put their spiritual goods at the service of the Gospel.

«There were with him the Twelve and some women who had been healed [...] Susanna and many others, who served them with their possessions» (Lk 8:1b-2a.3b)

Friday 24th wk. in O.T.  (Lk 8:1-3)

After his conversion, Francis told his brothers:

«A sinner can fast, pray, weep and macerate his flesh [...] So we must glory only in this case: if we render to God the glory that is his» (FF 1105).

Which the sinful woman did well in the Pharisee's house and which the latter did not understand.

Francis and Clare, aware of the mercy God had shown them, spent their lives loving without measure, knowing that they had been graced by the Most High. Hence their living by continual acts of love towards others, kissing, bending over their neighbour's needs, forgiving.

The Sources inform about this, and, specifically, St Bonaventure tells us in the Major Legend:

"A man from the county of Spoleto, had a horrible disease that ravaged his mouth [...].

He had gone to Rome to visit the tomb of the Apostles and implore their grace. Returning from his pilgrimage, he met the servant of God, whose feet he would have liked, out of devotion, to kiss. But the humble Francis did not allow it, instead he kissed the one who would have liked to kiss his feet on the face.

As soon as Francis, the servant of the lepers, moved by his admirable piety, had touched that hideous wound with his sacred mouth, it disappeared completely and the sick man regained his longed-for health.

I do not know what to admire more, with good reason, in this event, whether the profound humility that prompted that benevolent kiss, or the splendid power that worked such a stupendous miracle" (FF 1046).

But Clare too, in the Papal Bull (Clara Claris praeclara) is contemplated thus:

"Breaking hard in the narrow solitude of her cell the alabaster of her body, she filled with the aromas of her holiness the entire edifice of the Church" (FF 3285).

"That truly pure vessel turned out to be a vessel of grace" (FF 3157).

And "very often he washed the feet of the servants* who returned from outside and, washing them, kissed them" (FF 3182).

To those who love much, much will be forgiven!

* Sisters in charge of the external service of the Monastery.