In today's passage, Matthew presents Jesus intent on emphasising true perfection according to the Gospel.
Our neighbour is not only our fellow countrymen - as the Jews tended, then, to consider - but every brother we meet.
The Lord exhorts us to love and pray for those who persecute us. Here lies authentic holiness.
In Clare of Assisi, the adventure of extreme faith led to the Beauty that wounds.
He had eyes that were attentive to all things, discovering in every event the Presence of Christ, to whom he wanted to conform.
Yes, Clare's life is a testimony that cries out beyond the walls of the monastery.
The Sources say:
"She herself washed the seats of the infirm, she cleansed them, with that noble spirit of hers, without shying away from filthiness or loathing the stench.
Very often she washed the feet of servants returning from outside and, washing them, kissed them.
Once she was washing the feet of one of these servants: as she was about to kiss them, she, not withstanding so great a humiliation, drew back her foot and in the gesture struck her lady in the face with her foot.
But she gently took up the foot of the servant girl and pressed a kiss on it, under the sole" (FF 3181-3182)
Francis and Clare knew that the truly Perfect in the Kingdom of God are those who do not give up and go all the way.
As the Sources themselves convey, in an Admonition to his brothers, Francis emphasises:
"All those who unjustly inflict on us tribulation and anguish, ignominy and insult, pain and suffering, are therefore our friends [...] we must love them dearly because by reason of what they inflict on us we have eternal life" (FF 56).
But Clare herself overcame evil with the good of her humble prayer, as she did before the invasion of Vitale d'Aversa, in the service of Emperor Frederick II. Indeed he led the army against Assisi.
But according to the Sources:
"When Clare, servant of Christ, heard of this, she was shaken with deep sorrow, called to herself the sisters and said:
"From this city we receive many goods every day [...] it would be great impiety not to bring her relief, as we can, now that the time is right.
Go to our Lord and ask him with all your heart for the deliverance of the city' (FF 3203).
The next morning the proud man was forced to leave, contrary to his designs - and the army dispersed.
«Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may become children of your Father in heaven» (Mt 5:44a)
Tuesday, 11th wk. in O.T. (Mt 5:43-48)
