John, highlights how God sent His Son Jesus into the world not to condemn it, but to save it through Him.

Francis so loved the Crucified One and for Him and in Him the Cross on which He was confined for the salvation of the world, that he received the gift of the stigmata.

Made like Christ, therefore Alter Christus. He had always fixed in his mind the Gift of the Father to humanity, in the Son.

The Sources illuminate in this regard:

"And we give thee thanks, because as thou hast created us through thy Son, so by thy holy love, with which thou hast loved us, thou hast brought forth the same true God and true man from the glorious ever-virgin most blessed Saint Mary, and, by the cross, blood and death of Him hast willed to redeem us from slavery" (FF 64).

And again: 'For he said that nothing is more important than the salvation of souls, and he proved this very often by the fact that the only-begotten of God deigned to be hung on the cross for souls [...] He did not consider himself a friend of Christ, if he did not love the souls He loved' (FF 758).

"One morning, as the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross approached, while he was praying on the side of the mountain, he saw a figure like a seraphim, with six wings as bright as they were fiery, descending from the sublimity of the heavens [...] He came close to the man of God, and then there appeared between his wings the effigy of a crucified man, who had his hands and feet spread out and confined on the cross [...He understood by divine revelation the purpose for which divine Providence had shown him that vision, that is, to make known to him in advance that he [...] was about to be transformed wholly into the visible portrait of Christ Jesus crucified [...] by the fire of the Spirit" (FF 1225).

Passing through pain and death would be the triumph of Life. A Cross blossomed in the Paschal Mystery.

«For so God loved the world that he gave his Son, the Only Begotten, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have the life of the Eternal One» (Jn 3:16)

Exaltation of the Holy Cross  (Jn 3:13-17)

Jesus emphasises the main criterion for recognising the fruitfulness of the tree: noting what fruit it produces.

He also refers to the heart of every creature that says, says... but does not do.

Listen or don't listen!

The first rests on the Rock that He is, the second on not wanting to put His Word into practice, with the consequent ruin of each one.

Francis, the Little One of Assisi, drew goodness from his new heart. He was a fruitful tree, recognisable by his fruits.

In fact, the Sources inform us of an episode that bears witness to this:

"After several months had passed, Francis was staying at the church of the Porziuncola, and he was near the cell that stands behind the house, along the road, when that friar returned to speak to him about the psalter.

Francis said to him, 'Go and do as your Minister tells you'.

At these words, the friar began to return the way he had come.

But the Saint, remaining on the road, began to reflect on what he had said, and suddenly cried out after him:

"Wait for me, brother, wait for me!"

He went up to him and said:

"Come back with me, brother, and show me the place where I told you to do what the minister will tell you about the psalter."

When they reached that place, Francis bowed before the friar and, kneeling down, said:

"My fault, brother, my fault! Anyone who wants to be a 'minor' must have nothing but a tunic, a cord and breeches, as the Rule says, and in addition footwear, for those who are constrained by obvious necessity or illness."

He gave the same answer to all the friars who came to consult him on the subject.

He said: "A MAN KNOWS AS MUCH AS HE DOES; AND A RELIGIOUS IS AS GOOD A PREACHER AS HE ACTS".

As if to say: "A GOOD TREE IS KNOWN BY THE FRUIT IT PRODUCES" (FF 1628).

«Every tree is known by its fruit [...]

But why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?»  (Lk 6:44a, 46)

Saturday of the 23rd wk. in Ordinary Time  (Lk 6:43-49)

The Gospel casts its gaze on the blind guides of the blind [with nefarious results] and on those who pretend to remove the mote from their brother's eye while forgetting the beam that dwells in him.

Francis abhorred any judgement of the brothers, for he believed that every haughty expression addressed to them was, practically, addressed to God himself.

Clare advised the sisters to beware of judgement, detraction and murmuring:

"Let the sisters [...] beware of detraction and murmuring" (FF 2809).

In that treasure chest of riches that are the Sources we find many interesting narratives on the subject.

In the Regola bollata (1223) written by Francis we read:

"[The brethren] I admonish them, however, and exhort them not to despise and judge men whom they see dressed in soft and coloured clothing and using delicate food and drink, but rather let each one judge and despise himself" (FF 81).

And in the Letter to the Faithful he continues:

"Those then who have received authority to judge others, let them exercise judgement with mercy, just as they themselves wish to obtain mercy from the Lord: for judgement will be without mercy for those who have not used mercy" (FF 191).

To the brothers themselves:

"If it sometimes happened that a brother missed a word that could hurt, the remorse of conscience would not let him have peace, until he confessed his mistake, humbly throwing himself to the ground and begging the offended one to put a foot on his mouth [...].

The brothers undertook to banish all rancour and incompatibility, and to keep exchangeable love intact" (FF 1449).

Therefore the yardstick for every thought and expression was to look at oneself in honesty before God, leaving the gaze on others to Him.

«Can a blind man guide [another] blind man? [...]

Why do you look at the mote in your brother's eye but the beam in your own eye you do not see?» (Lk 6:39a.41)

Friday of the 23rd wk. in O.T.  (Lk 6:39-42)

In today's Gospel Jesus calls those who listen to love those who behave as enemies.

«Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you» (Lk 6:27).

Francis loved those who mocked and judged him - and invited his brothers to do likewise.

The Poor Man of Assisi had come to know Christ and, according to the Word of the Gospel, he committed himself to love everyone, even those who behaved as his enemies; to give as much as he had to the poor.

In fact, in the Franciscan Sources we find various episodes that signify these circumstances.

We read in the Admonitions he wrote:

"The Lord says: 'Love your enemies [and do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who persecute and slander you].

For truly he loves his enemy who does not grieve for the insult he does him, but burns in his innermost self for the love of God because of the sin of his soul. And let him show his love by his works" (FF 158).

The same father, who detested Francis' choice of poverty, persecuted him, driving his son into hiding.

The Sources attest:

"But Francis, an athlete still in his infancy, having been informed of the threats of the persecutors and anticipating their coming, wanted to leave time for anger and hid himself in a secret pit. He remained hidden there for some days, and in the meantime he unceasingly supplicated, amidst rivers of tears, to the Lord, that He might deliver him from the hands of the persecutors and bring to fulfilment, with His goodness and favour, the pious intentions He had inspired in him" (FF 1040).

And again:

"He went to visit [...] the tomb of the Apostle Peter. It was on this occasion that, seeing the great multitude of beggars before the door of that church, moved by a gentle compassion, and, at the same time, allured by the love of poverty, he gave his clothes to the neediest of them and, covered in their rags, he spent the whole day among the poor, with unusual joy of spirit" (FF 1037).

Giving had become for the Poverello the a-b-c of his daily living of the Word of God.

«...for with the measure wherewith ye measure, it shall be measured unto you» (Lk 6:38)

Thursday, 23rd wk. in O.T.  (Lk 6,27-38)

In the Gospel of Luke, the Beatitudes are contrasted with the "Woe" that the Lord pronounces towards the full of this world.

We dwell on the Beatitudes.

Jesus proclaims in them the love of God for every man, especially for the poor, the object of his predilection.

Francis looked upon the Beatitudes as a portrait of Christ and followed them because he was in love with Him.

He had great veneration not only for the Virgin Mary but also for all the saints.

Indeed, among his writings is an antiphon recited every hour:

"Holy Virgin Mary, there is none like thee, born in the world, among women, daughter and handmaid of the Most High and Supreme King the heavenly Father, mother of our most holy Lord Jesus Christ, spouse of the Holy Spirit; pray for us with Saint Michael the Archangel and with all the powers of heaven and with all the saints, to thy most holy beloved Son, Lord and Master. Glory be to the Father. As it was." (FF 281).

The Sources underline that "the saints and their memory were for him like burning coals of fire, which revived in him the deifying fire" (FF 1167).

In the Admonitions of Francis we read:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

There are many who persistently apply themselves to prayers and occupations, do many abstinences and corporal mortifications, but for a single word that seems an insult to their person, or for something that is taken away from them, scandalised, they quickly become irritated.

These are not poor in spirit, for he who is truly poor in spirit hates himself and loves those who strike them in the cheek" (FF 163).

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God".

"True peacemakers are those who in all the anxieties they endure in this world, for the love of our Lord Jesus Christ, keep peace in soul and body" (FF 164).

But in the same Canticle of Brother Sun, when he was very ill, he added the famous verse of forgiveness:

"Be praised, my Lord/ for those who, out of love for you, forgive/ and sustain infirmity and tribulation./

Blessed are those who will stand in peace,/ and by you, Most High, be crowned" (FF 1593).

Nevertheless, Clare of Assisi, in her wonderful Blessing to the sisters, turns her gaze to the whole assembly of saints in heaven and on earth:

"I pray to our Lord Jesus Christ through his mercy and through the Intercession of his most holy Mother Mary, of the blessed Archangel Michael and all the holy Angels of God, [of our blessed Father Francis] and of all the saints and holy women of God, that the same heavenly Father may bestow upon you and confirm this most holy blessing in heaven and on earth: on earth, multiplying you, by his Grace and virtues, among his servants in his Church militant; in heaven, exalting and glorifying you in his Church triumphant among his saints and holy ones" (FF 2855).

Clear beauty of a communion lived in the round with the Blessed who still walk the earth and with those who wave their palms before the throne of the Lamb in the heavenly Jerusalem.

«Blessed are the poor, for yours is the kingdom of God» (Lk 6:20b)

Wednesday of the 23rd wk. in O.T.  (Lk 6:20-26)

Jesus spends the night in prayer, choosing, then, the Twelve - and healing the sick who flocked to Him.

Francis of Assisi, after his conversion, was no longer a man who prayed, but a creature made prayer.

By night and by day he always dialogued with God, entrusting the most important choices to his relationship with the Father. The Sources bear witness to his continuous praying:

"The devout man of God, according to his habit, spent the night praying to God, in a hovel situated in the garden of the canons, far away, with his body, from his children" (FF 1070).

In the footsteps of Christ he sought intimacy with the Father:

"And in complete annihilation of self, he dwelt for a long time as if hidden in the wounds of the Saviour.

That is why he sought solitary places in order to be able to throw his soul completely into God; however, when there was a need, he did not hesitate for a moment to take action to benefit souls and the lives of his brethren.

His safe haven was prayer, not a few minutes, or empty, or pretentious, but deeply devout, humble and prolonged as much as possible.

If he started it in the evening, he could hardly tear himself away from it in the morning.

He was always intent on prayer, when he walked and when he sat, when he ate and when he drank.

At night he went, alone, to the deserted and lost churches to pray; thus, by the grace of the Lord, he was able to triumph over many fears and spiritual anxieties" (FF 445).

«He went out to the mountain to pray and spent the night in prayer to God» (Lk 6:12)

Tuesday of the 23rd wk. in O.T.  (Lk 6,12-19)

Today, the Gospel of Matthew tells us about Jesus' family tree and how he was conceived: Mary, his mother, found herself pregnant by the Holy Spirit.

The announcement to Joseph, Mary's husband, stands out:

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

Looking through the Franciscan Sources, we see how Francis of Assisi always nurtured an indescribable love for the Mother of Jesus and followed her example in every situation where her virtues shone forth.

The Sources inform us in this regard:

"He surrounded the Mother of Jesus with unspeakable love, because she had made the Lord of Majesty our brother.

In her honour, he sang special praises, raised prayers, and offered so much affection that human language cannot express" (FF 786).

In his letter to the faithful, he writes:

"The Most High Heavenly Father, through the holy Angel Gabriel, announced this Word of the Father, so worthy, so Holy and glorious, in the womb of the holy and glorious Virgin Mary, and from her womb he received the true flesh of our humanity and frailty" (FF 181).

But, in my opinion, Francis' sublime prayer to Mary [which sums up well what she was to him] is the famous "Salutation to the Blessed Virgin Mary".

It reads as follows:

«Hail Holy Lady, Holy Queen,

Holy Mother of God, Mary,

who art a virgin made Church

and chosen by the most holy Heavenly Father,

who consecrated you

together with his most holy beloved Son

and with the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete;

you in whom was and is all fullness of grace and every good thing.

Hail, his palace,

Hail, his tabernacle,

Hail, his handmaid,

Hail, his Mother» (FF 259).

In addition, we note that Francis saw in Clare ‘the imprint of the Mother of God’ and loved her for this reason.

In fact, he saw the constant presence of Mary in her life.

Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary  (Mt 1:1-16, 18-23)

The Liturgy focuses on the passage from Luke in which Jesus sets out the conditions for following Him in His call to mission for the Gospel.

«Anyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple» (Lk 14:33).

Likewise, whoever does not take up his cross cannot be a disciple of Christ.

The Poor Man of Assisi gives us a wonderful example of this.

After knowing the will of the Lord through divine inspiration, Francis the Minor devoted himself body and soul to fulfilling the mission entrusted to him by God.

His task: to proclaim the Kingdom, to make the Good News known to the people - and 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, when he asked the priest to explain the passage to him.

Then, radiant with joy, he exclaimed:

'This is exactly what I long to achieve with all my strength!'.

And fixing those directives in his memory, he committed himself to carrying them out joyfully [...]

He got rid of everything he owned that was superfluous...

He made himself a poor, coarse tunic and, instead of a leather belt, he tied his waist 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 filled with the virtue of the Holy Spirit, they penetrated the depths of people's consciences, touching his listeners deeply" (FF 1427).

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

“A growing number of people were attracted by the sincerity and truthfulness of Francis’ teaching and life.

Two years after his conversion, some men were inspired 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 began to follow him in order to live the Gospel.

"Noble by birth, more noble by grace... named Clare, more clear in life, most clear in virtue" (FF 351).

Sunday 23rd in O.T. year C   (Lk 14:25-33)

In Luke's Gospel, in c.6 Jesus introduces the discussion on the Sabbath of which He is Lord, at the service of life, more important than rules - and which in any case must not enslave the person, always at the centre of the work of salvation.

Francis of Assisi, the one who called himself simple and idiotic, had received authentic evangelical wisdom from on high.

He was not bound by commonplaces, he was a new man, free from tinsel and pre-established schemes, living only by the Word - declaring Jesus Lord.

In the Sources there is an episode that highlights this well:

"When Francis began to have brothers, he stayed with them at Rivotorto*.

Once, at midnight, while they were all resting [...] a friar suddenly cried out: I die! I die! All the others woke up stupefied and terrified.

Francis got up and said: "Arise, brothers, and light a lamp". Having lighted the lamp, the saint questioned:

"Who cried out: I die?" He answered: "It is I". Francis resumed:

"What is the matter with you brother? What are you dying of?" And he: "I am dying of hunger".

Francis, being a man full of goodness and kindness, immediately had the table prepared.

And so that the brother would not be ashamed to eat alone, they all sat down to eat with him [...].

After the meal Francis spoke:

'Just as we must refrain from excessive eating, harmful to body and soul, so, and even more, from excessive abstinence, since the Lord prefers mercy to sacrifice'" (FF 1545).

The Lord of the soul rules over all things!

And the Poor Man understood this well.

«The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath» (Lk 6:5)

*Rivotorto: locality in the plain of Assisi, about three kilometres from the Portiuncula.

Saturday of the 22nd wk. in O.T.  (Lk 6,1-5)