In today's Gospel, Jesus speaks of the witness we are called to give with our lives, to be salt and light for all.
Francis, in his journey of faith, sought to please God with a savoury existence and a luminous life, irrigated by Grace.
Chiara herself, always united with her Spouse Jesus, was prophetically chosen to be what her name meant: light, brightness for the world.
Their witness shines forth in the Sources.
In the Letter of Brother Elia, written immediately after Francis' death, the experience of the friars alongside their father and the fragrance of life they breathed is evident.
"Truly, the presence of our brother and father Francis was the true light, not only for us who were his companions in the same profession of life, but also for those who were far away.
He was, in fact, a light brought forth from the true light, the one who enlightens those who were in darkness and sat in the shadow of death, to direct their steps on the path of peace.
This he did, like true midday light.
The light that came from above illuminated his heart and warmed his will with the fire of his love" (FF 307).
This was the experience of those who knew him closely.
But Chiara herself, in the collection of letters compiled for the wonderful dialogue with Agnes of Bohemia, offers passages that are the measure of her heart and her life-light.
In the fourth letter we read:
"And since this vision of him is the splendour of eternal glory, the brightness of everlasting light and a mirror without blemish, every day bring your soul, O queen, bride of Jesus Christ, to this mirror and gaze continually at your face in it, so that you may thus adorn yourself entirely within and without, clothed and surrounded by variety, and be equally adorned with the flowers and garments of all the virtues, as befits you, daughter and beloved bride of the supreme King" (FF 2902).
The purity of Francis and Clare had reached such heights that, as St Bonaventure says, the whole machinery of the world was placed at the service of the sanctified senses of these two splendid figures.
Everything in their poor and simple existence became a clear and profound testimony to the praise of God.
«Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven» (Mt 5:16)
Tuesday of the 10th wk. in Ordinary Time (Mt 5:13-16)
