Francis, the Poor Man of Assisi, believed deeply in the Merciful Love and Patience of Christ. He could not bear to judge people without appeal.

He was always righteous and merciful towards others, though much less so towards himself.

There are many passages about this in the Sources. We read:

'Oh, how worthy of compassion is our foolishness!

Not only do we not lift up or support the weak, but sometimes we push them to fall.

We consider it of no importance to take a sheep from the Supreme Shepherd, for whom he cried out with tears on the Cross.

But you, holy Father, preferred to amend the erring and not lose them [...]" (FF 763).

The friars themselves had been taught to restrain their tongues:

"They were relentless judges of themselves, careful not to harm one another in any way.

If a brother happened to utter a word that could hurt someone, his remorse would not allow him to rest until he confessed his mistake" (FF 1448-1449).

Furthermore, Francis "insisted that the brothers should not judge anyone, and should not look with contempt on those who live in luxury and dress with exaggerated refinement and pomp.

God is our Lord and theirs, and he has the power to call them to himself and make them righteous" (FF 1469).

Guardian of the marginalised, Francis the Minim, poured out on everyone the gratuitousness he had received from Christ.

A man of indomitable faith, he embraced even the marginalised, going far beyond any judgement or stereotypical mentality.

In the Regula Bullata, addressing his friars, he said:

"I admonish you [...] and exhort you not to despise or judge men who are clothed in soft and colourful garments and use delicate food and drink, but rather let each one judge and despise himself" (FF 81).

And even more so in his Admonitions, he urged them to beware of judging priests.

"And woe to those who despise them.

Even if they are sinners, no one should judge them, for the Lord has expressly reserved to himself the right to judge them.

Indeed, the greater the ministry they perform in the most holy body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which they alone receive and administer to others, the greater the sin of those who sin against them, than if they sinned against all other men in this world" (FF176).

«Do not judge, so that you will not be judged, for with the judgement you use, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you» (Mt 7:1-2)

Monday of the 12th wk. in Ordinary Time  (Mt 7:1-5)

On this solemn Sunday of Corpus Christi, the liturgy offers us a passage from Luke about the multiplication of loaves for a huge crowd.

Jesus says to his disciples:

«Give them to eat yourselves» (Lk 9:13).

Francis was in love with France, not because his mother, Monna Pica, came from that country, but because of the flourishing Eucharistic cult, about which he had been informed by James of Vitry, a convinced supporter.

When he went into the woods or was particularly cheerful, he often sang praises in French.

The Sources inform us about his visceral devotion to the Body of Christ.

In Celano's Second Life, we read:

"He burned with love in every fibre of his being for the sacrament of the Body of the Lord, overcome with amazement at such benevolent condescension and generous charity.

He considered it a grave sign of contempt not to participate in the Eucharist, even if it was only once, if time permitted.

He received Communion often and with such devotion that he made others devout as well.

In fact, being filled with reverence for this venerable sacrament, he offered the sacrifice of all his limbs, and when he received the immolated Lamb, he immolated his spirit in that fire which always burned on the altar of his heart.

For this reason, he loved France, a land devoted to the Body of the Lord, and desired to die there because of his veneration for the sacred mysteries.

One day he wanted to send the friars out into the world with precious ciboria, so that they might place the price of redemption in the most worthy place possible, wherever they saw it kept with little decorum" (FF 789).

"He wanted great respect to be shown to the hands of the priest, because they have been given the divine power to consecrate this sacrament.

"If I should happen," he often said, "to meet a saint coming from heaven and a poor priest, I would first greet the priest and run to kiss his hands.

For I would say: 'Wait, St. Lawrence*, for this man's hands touch the Word of life and possess superhuman power'" (FF 790).

And St. Clare, faced with a shortage of bread in the monastery, obtained by grace the ability to multiply it.

"There was only one loaf of bread in the monastery, and the hour of dinner was approaching and hunger was pressing.

Calling the dispenser, the Saint ordered her to divide the bread and send part of it to the friars, keeping the other part inside for the sisters.

From this second half, she ordered fifty slices to be cut, which was the number of women, and to present them to them on the table of poverty.

And to the devout daughter who replied,

"It would take the ancient miracles of Christ to cut so little bread into fifty slices," the Mother replied, saying to her:

"Do as I say, daughter!"

The daughter hastened to carry out her mother's command, and the Mother hastened to offer pious sighs to her Christ for her daughters.

And by divine grace, that small amount grew in the hands of the woman who broke it, so that there was an abundant portion for each member of the community" (FF 3189).

The love of Francis and Clare

for the Body and Blood of Christ made them directly participants in that Sacred Mystery.

* St. Lawrence was only a deacon, like Francis.

Sunday of the Body and Blood of Christ C  (Lk 9:11b-17)

Jesus focuses on relying on Providence:

«Look at the birds of the air: for they neither sow nor reap in barns, and your heavenly Father feeds them» (Mt 6:26).

Francis and Clare of Assisi were truly the 'entrusted to Providence', precisely as an evangelical way of life, since faith had made them 'hands open to the blessings of the Lord' - without worrying about tomorrow, which would take care of itself.

In the Sources there are passages worthy of reflection in this regard.

In the Major Legend:

"When, as time went on, the brothers had become very numerous, the thoughtful pastor began to gather them together in the place of St Mary of the Portiuncula for the General Chapter, in which he could assign to each one of them a portion of obedience in the kingdom of the poor, according to the measure willed by God.

At the Portiuncula there was a shortage of everything; but, although at times a multitude of more than five thousand brothers would gather there, the help of the Divine Goodness was never lacking, who provided enough for all and granted to all health of body and superabundant joy of spirit" (FF1080).

And again, in the Perugine Legend:

"We who have lived with him have heard him say on several occasions that word from the Gospel: the foxes have their lair and the birds of the air their nest, but the son of man has nowhere to lay his head.

And he continued:

"The Lord, when he stood apart to pray and fasted forty days and forty nights, did not have a cell or a house prepared for him, but sheltered himself under the rocks of the mountain.

Thus, following the example of the Lord, he did not want to have either house or cell in this world, nor did he want them built for him.

On the contrary, if the recommendation escaped him:

"Prepare this cell for me like this", he did not want to dwell in it afterwards, in obedience to the Word of the Gospel: do not worry" (FF 1559).

Clare herself entrusted herself to Providence in need, praying.

"One day there was a complete lack of oil for the handmaids of Christ, to the point that there was none even for dressing the sick.

Donna Chiara took a vase and, master of humility, washed it herself with her own hands; then she set the empty vase aside for the begging brother to come and get it [...].

The devout brother hastens to succour such great indigence and runs to fetch the vase.

But it does not depend on the will of man nor on the efforts of the one who runs, but on God who uses mercy.

In fact, by God's intervention alone, that vase finds itself filled with oil: St Clare's prayer prevented, to the relief of the poor daughters, the friar's service.

Actually, that friar, believing he had been called for nothing, muttering to himself said:

"To mock me these women have called me! For behold, the vessel is full" (FF 3190 - Legend).

God always goes before with his mercy!

Trusting in God, the Saints of Assisi gained awareness of their call entrusted to the Lord.

Saturday of the 11th wk. in O.T.  (Mt 6,24-34)

Jesus exhorts not to accumulate treasures on earth, soon to be consumed, but in God because they are eternal.

In the Sources, the theme of not accumulating is at home, since Francis, throughout his life, thought only of returning what he had received, starting with his father to whom he "returned" even his clothes, following 'naked' the path of poverty, his coveted wealth.

The Minim had his mind and heart turned to God and sought only the Kingdom of heaven, in simplicity and purity of heart. Testimony to this is given to us by one of several passages from the Franciscan Sources.

We read:

"These visits to the lepers increased his goodness. Leading one of his companions, whom he loved very much, to an out-of-the-way place, he told him that he had discovered a great and precious treasure.

He was overjoyed and willingly joined Francis when invited.

He would often lead him to a cave near Assisi; he would enter it alone, leaving his friend outside, impatient to get hold of the treasure [...].

Animated by an extraordinary new spirit, he prayed in secret to the Father [...].

He suffered unspeakable suffering and anguish in his heart, for he could not be serene until he had realised his vocation' (FF 1409).

On his way, in the middle of winter, in Celano, the Poverello gave a little old woman his cloak.

He said to her:

"Go, make yourself a dress, that you really need it" (FF 673).

And Clare, in her letters, writing to her spiritual daughter, Agnes of Bohemia, states:

"You who have preferred poverty to temporal riches, and have entrusted your treasures, rather than to earth, to heaven, where neither rust corrodes them, nor woodworm consumes them, nor thieves discover them or steal them, you will receive abundant reward in heaven [...]" (FF 2866).

The theme of wealth to be shared, of 'not withholding' and 'giving back' to God and to one's brothers and sisters, was very much felt by Francis of Assisi; one of the guiding motives of his journey of faith.

In the Sources we read:

"Once, while returning from Siena, he met a poor man. It happened that Francis, because of illness, was wearing a cloak over his clothes.

Looking with merciful eyes at the man's misery, he said to his companion:

"We must return the cloak to this poor man: for it is his. For we have received it on loan, until we should happen to find someone poorer than ourselves'.

The companion, however, considering the state in which the pitiful father found himself, opposed a clear refusal: he had no right to forget himself, in order to provide for another.

But the saint:

"I believe that the Great Elector will accuse me of theft, if I do not give what I wear to those most in need" " (FF 1143).

«Do not store up treasures on earth» (Mt 6:19)

Friday of the 11th wk. in O.T.  (Mt 6,19-23)

Jesus invites his disciples to a prayer that is not long-winded, but lean, essential; as sons.

Although in different paradigms, Clare and Francis of Assisi were aware that in the depths of their being lurked a secret to be found in order to be reborn and healed.

To the point that, distancing himself from his earthly father, before the local bishop, the Poverello expressed himself thus:

"Hitherto I have called you, my Father on earth; from now on I can say with all confidence: OUR FATHER, WHO IS IN HEAVEN, because in Him I have placed all my Treasure and placed all my Trust and Hope" (FF 1043).

To his brothers who asked him to teach them how to pray, he replied:

"When you pray, say: Our Father, and [...] We adore you, O Christ, in all your churches throughout the world, and we bless you, because through your holy Cross you have redeemed the world" (FF 1068).

And in the paraphrase of the 'Our Father':

"Hallowed be thy Name: let the knowledge of Thee be made bright in us, that we may know the breadth of thy benefits, the extent of thy promises, the sublimity of thy majesty and the depth of thy judgments" (FF 268).

A prayer, therefore, attested by life, by the capacity for forgiveness, in Listening.

All in the cell of one's own body, Francis maintained - as the Perugina Legend reminds us:

"Wherever we are or move, we take our cell with us: brother body; the soul is the hermit who lives in it praying to God and meditating.

And if the soul does not live serenely and solitarily in its cell, it is of little use to the religious to have a cell erected by the hand of man" (FF 1636).

And in the Legend, Clare herself:

"How much strength and support she received in the furnace of ardent prayer [...] she brought back from the fire of the altar of the Lord burning words, such as to inflame the hearts of the sisters" (FF 3199).

A prayer not marked by the multiplication of words, but by an authentic and profound relationship with God, who knows everything.

«In praying, do not babble like the pagans, for they think they are heard because of their wordiness» (Mt 6:7)

Thursday of the 11th wk. in O.T.  (Mt 6,7-15)

Jesus suggests avoiding hypocrisy in prayer, the theatricality of appearance, loving and praying in the secret known to the Father.

Francis and Clare loved prayer, hidden contemplation, in a special way.

In the Second Life, compiled by Celano, we find a passage that speaks volumes about Francis' discreet relationship with God, always ready to scrupulously hide the King's secrets.

"He always sought a secluded place, where he could unite himself not only with his spirit, but with his individual members, to his God.

And if he suddenly felt visited by the Lord, so as not to be without a cell, he made himself a little one with his cloak.

And if at times he lacked this, he covered his face with his sleeve, so as not to reveal the hidden manna.

He always placed something between himself and the onlookers, so that they would not notice the contact of the bridegroom; thus he could pray unseen even if crammed among a thousand, as in the corner of a ship.

Finally, if none of this was possible for him, he made a temple of his breast.

Absorbed in God and oblivious of himself, he neither groaned nor coughed, his breathing was breathless and every other external sign disappeared" (FF 681).

Wonderful discretion, lover of concealment.

Francis and Clare were the lovers of holy prayer, fasting and almsgiving, adhering to these practices in the deepest and highest sense.

The Sources are illuminating about the evangelical journey of these two giants of the contemplative and apostolic life.

We read in the Rule of Clare

"The sisters to whom the Lord has given the grace of working, let them work, after the third hour, applying themselves to worthy works of common use, with fidelity and devotion, in such a way that, having banished idleness, the enemy of the soul, they do not extinguish the Spirit of holy prayer and devotion, to which all other temporal things must serve" (FF 2792).

And again in her Testament:

"I pray that she who will be in charge of the sisters [...] will see to it that she provides for each one in her needs with those alms which the Lord will send" (FF 2848).

Francis himself showed discreet attention to all this:

"I have never been a thief. I would like to say that of the alms, which are the inheritance of the poor, I have always taken less than I needed, so as not to spoil the share due to other poor people. 'To do otherwise would be to steal' (FF 1670).

Moreover, in other circumstances we know that "guided by the Holy Spirit, he went up a mountain with two companions and there, fasting on bread and water, dictated the Rule, according to what the divine Spirit suggested to him during prayer" (FF 1084).

«But when you pray, go into your room and shut your door [Is 26:20; 2 Kings 4:33] and pray to your Father who is in secret» (Mt 6:6).

Wednesday of the 11th wk. in O.T.  (Mt 6,1-6.16-18)

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)

In today's Gospel, Jesus sends a very clear message: give to those in need:

«Give to those who ask you, and do not turn away from those who want to borrow from you» (Mt 5:42).

Francis was a simple and genuine man; he was moved to tears at the mere mention of God's love and did everything he could to help those in need.

Countless passages from the Sources describe his incredible charity towards anyone who asked him for help in the name of God, even remaining naked in order to feed others.

The Second Life of Celano informs us of this:

"Once a poor man asked him for charity for the love of God. Since he had nothing, the Saint took his scissors secretly and prepared to divide his poor habit.

And he would certainly have done so had he not been discovered by the friars, whom he ordered to provide the poor man with other compensation" (FF 784).

And one day, when he met two French friars, the following happened:

"It happened that two friars from France, men of great holiness, met Francis; they felt incredible joy, especially since they had been tormented by this desire for a long time.

After effusive displays of affection and a sweet exchange of words, they were moved by their ardent devotion to ask Francis for his habit.

The saint immediately took it off, remaining half-naked, and gave it to them with the greatest devotion; then he put on, in a pious exchange, the poorest of their habits.

He was ready to give not only such things, but to give himself completely, and whatever was asked of him, he gave with the greatest joy" (FF 767).

Chiara of Assisi, Francis' seraphic plant, was always generous with her sisters and with the poor.

In her, the adventure of extreme faith led to the Beauty that wounds. She had eyes attentive to everything, discovering in every event the Presence of Christ, to whom she wanted to conform. Yes, Clare's life is a testimony that cries out beyond the walls of the monastery.

Legend has it that, even as a young girl, she gave to those in need without hesitation.

"She willingly stretched out her hand to the poor and from the abundance of her home she drew what was necessary to supply the needs of many [...]

Thus, growing up with her from childhood, she had a heart sensitive to the suffering of others and bent compassionately over the miseries of the unhappy" (FF 3158).

Giving themselves and what their neighbour needed was written in their spiritual DNA, exalted by the power of God's Spirit in a wonderful way.

The Two Poor Ones contrasted the mentality of having with the evangelical mentality of 'giving without counting', freely.

Monday of the 11th wk. in Ordinary Time  (Mt 5:38-42)