Jesus tells his own that the Spirit of Truth sent will lead them into all truth, announcing what he will have heard.

Francis, poor and simple, was a man constantly listening to the whisper of the Spirit.

And it was precisely this constant attitude that made him grasp what others sometimes missed.

The Firstfruits collected in the Sources illustrate how the Spirit of truth instructed and led him every day.

"For though he was most perfect among the perfect, yet, not admitting it, he esteemed himself the most imperfect of all.

For he had tasted and experienced personally how sweet, gentle and good the God of Israel is to the upright in heart, who always seek him with pure simplicity and true purity.

The sweetness and gentleness, which he felt infused from on high into his soul, a very rare gift granted to very few, moved him to forget himself completely, and then, brimming with such joy, he yearned with all his might to ascend to the immortal life of the elect spirits, where, by stepping out of himself, he had already partially elevated himself.

Filled with the Spirit of God, he was ready to face any anguish of spirit, any torment in the body, as long as he was granted what he yearned for: that the merciful will of his heavenly Father might be completely fulfilled in him" (FF 481).

Moreover, Francis, by now very ill and close to death, to Brother Elias who asked how he could express so much joy in the midst of so much pain, in a burst of fervour said:

"Brother, let me rejoice in the Lord and in his Lauds in the midst of my sorrows, for, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, I am so closely united to my Lord that, by his mercy, I can well rejoice in the Most High" (FF 1614).

He had learnt that the Spirit's presence leads to the whole truth and that He offers Himself to those who invoke Him most familiarly, in solitude and in suffering.

«But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth, for He will not speak from Himself, but will tell what He has heard, and will announce to you the things that are to come» (Jn 16:13).

Wednesday of the 6th wk. in Easter  (Jn 16:12-15)

In chapter sixteen of John, addressing his disciples, Jesus makes it clear that it is good for Him to return to the Father, otherwise the Paraclete will not come to them: the Spirit who bears witness to the Truth.

Francis, in continuous prayer, considered it the greatest treasure of his existence.

Without the Holy Spirit he could neither speak nor act according to God.

Indeed, in the Major Legend, we find an episode that confirms this:

"Once, when he was to preach before the Pope and the cardinals, at the suggestion of the Cardinal of Ostia he had sent down from memory a discourse he had drawn up with every care.

Except that, when he found himself there in the midst, at the moment of uttering those edifying words, he forgot everything and could not utter a single sentence.

So, after humbly and sincerely exposing his embarrassment, he began to invoke the Grace of the Holy Spirit.

Immediately the words began to flow so abundantly, so efficacious in moving and bending the hearts of those illustrious people, that it was clearly evident that it was not he who was speaking, but the Spirit of the Lord' (FF 1211).

And again:

"The Spirit of the Lord, who had anointed and sent him, assisted his servant Francis wherever he went; Christ himself, the power and wisdom of God, assisted him.

That is why his words overflowed with sound doctrine and his miracles were so splendid and effective.

His word was like a blazing fire, penetrating the depths of the heart and filling the minds with admiration; it did not display the elegance of rhetoric, but had the fragrance and the breath of divine revelation" (FF 1210).

Francis' vocation and his mission were truly an Epiphany of the Spirit, who dwelt in him and his fraternity. Manifestation that still testifies to the holy operation that took place in his amazing journey of faith, encouraging every creature on his path.

«If I do not go, the Paraclete will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you» (Jn 16:7)

Tuesday, 6th wk. in Easter  (Jn 16:5-11)

Francis and Clare of Assisi had a special devotion to the Spirit of the Lord and his holy operation.

There are countless passages in the Sources that attest to this.

In the Early Life of Celano, concerning the fraternal life led by the brothers, we read:

"Because they walked with simplicity before God and with courage before men, at that time the holy brothers merited the grace of a supernatural revelation.

Animated by the fire of the Holy Spirit, they prayed singing the «Pater noster» to a religious tune, not only at the prescribed times, but at every hour, because they were not preoccupied with material cares" (FF 404).

Francis himself, captivated by the Spirit, went to Rome to make a request to Pope Honorius. These, together with his Cardinals, welcomed him with great devotion.

"[...] he preached before the Pope and the Cardinals with a frank mind and full of ardour, drawing from the fullness of his heart, as the Spirit suggested to him.

At his Word those high ones were moved and, drawing deep sighs from within, they washed their inner man with tears.

Having finished his speech and after a few moments of cordial conversation with the Pope, he finally expressed his request thus:

«It is not easy, Lord, as you know, for poor and humble people to have access to such great majesty.

You have the world in your hands, and very important commitments do not allow you to devote yourself to minutiae.

For this reason, Lord,' he continued, 'I ask the tender affection of your Holiness to grant us as pope the Lord of Ostia, who is present here; thus, the dignity of your pre-eminence remaining always intact, the friars will be able to turn to him in time of need, and be, with advantage, defended and governed».

The Pope was pleased with such a holy request, and he immediately appointed to the Order, according to the request of the man of God, sir Ugolino, then Bishop of Ostia.

The holy cardinal accepted with love the flock, which had been entrusted to him, he tended it thoughtfully, and was its shepherd and pupil at the same time until the blessed end' (FF 612).

Clare too, bride of the Holy Spirit in the footsteps of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, thus addressed Agnes of Prague, her faithful disciple:

«And do not believe, and do not let yourself be seduced by anyone who would try to divert you from this purpose or put obstacles in your way, to prevent you from bringing back to the Most High your promises with that perfection to which the Spirit of the Lord invited you» (FF 2876).

The Spirit of God had fertilised the lives of Francis and Clare and that of their respective fraternities, making their actions an eloquent witness to the Gospel.

«When the Paraclete comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of Truth who proceeds from the Father, he will testify of me. But you also shall bear witness, because from the beginning you have been with me»  (Jn 15:26-27)

Monday of the 6th wk. in Easter  (Jn 15:26-16:4a)

On this Sixth Sunday of Easter, the Gospel speaks to us of love for Jesus linked to the observance of the commandments, and of Christ’s Envoy: the Paraclete, the Spirit of Truth.

Jesus reminds us that those who love Him will be loved by the Father and deeply indwelt by the divine Spirit.

Francis, in his Letter to the Faithful, expresses it thus:

«Those who do not wish to taste how sweet the Lord is and prefer darkness to light, refusing to observe God’s commandments, are cursed» (FF 186).

The life of the Poor Man of Assisi, illuminated by Christ, was light within the Light:

“This was the way in which he infallibly foresaw both the fall of many who seemed to be standing upright, and the conversion to Christ of many sinners.

Therefore, it seemed that he was now gazing intently upon the mirror of eternal light, in whose marvellous splendour the eye of his spirit could see things physically distant as if they were present” (FF 1198).

The new man, made such by Grace, embodied the Truth, reflected in his very works.

“In this way many began to recognise the truth of the doctrine which the man of God preached with simplicity, and of his life. Some began to feel called to penance by his example and to join him, in habit and in life, leaving everything behind. The first of these was the «venerable Bernard», who, having been made a partaker of the divine vocation, merited to be the firstborn of the blessed Father, first in time and in holiness” (FF 1053).

Following in the footsteps of the Lord, the life of the Poverello became a light for the dark times in which he lived.

“His intellect, freed from the dense fog of earthly things […] soared lightly to the heavenly heights and immersed itself purely in the light.

Thus radiant with the splendour of eternal light, he drew from the uncreated Word that which echoed in words.

Oh, how different we are today, we who, shrouded in darkness, are ignorant even of the necessities of life!” (FF 640).

Francis, transformed by the Light, had fallen in love with it: his works bore witness to this.

The flashes of the Word came to shape him according to its specific nature: to communicate to others the Truth nailed to the cross, so that the world might be redeemed and realise the Gift it had received.

“With the most resplendent rays of his life and teaching, he drew towards the light those who lay in the shadow of death, like the rainbow that shines amidst the luminous clouds; bearing within himself the sign of the covenant with the Lord, he proclaimed to mankind the Gospel of Peace and salvation” (FF 1021).

«Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and reveal myself to them» (Jn 14:21b)

6th Sunday in Easter A  (Jn 14:15–21)

Jesus reminds us that the world's hatred for His disciples reveals hatred for Him.

He adds that if they persecuted the Son of God, his own will be treated no better.

Francis was convinced that only love and courtesy extinguish hatred, and in the face of persecution for Christ it is important to persevere in the call received.

In the Legend of the Three Companions we read:

"As he prolonged his stay there, his father, worried, went looking for where his son had gone.

He thus came to know that, completely transformed, he was living near San Damiano.

The man was deeply saddened by this and, shocked by his son's unbelievable turn of events, he called his friends and neighbours and in all fury rushed to San Damiano.

When Francis, having become a knight of Christ, learnt that his own men were threatening him, and that his father was about to burst in on him, in order to dodge his father's violent wrath, he went to take refuge in a secret cave, which he had prepared for the purpose, and remained hidden there for a whole month.

The cave was known to only one member of the family.

From time to time, he would bring the abducted volunteer some food, which he consumed without being seen.

And he prayed with abundant tears that the Lord would deliver him from that persecution and lovingly help him to realise his aspirations' (FF 1416).

And again:

"One day, inflamed with enthusiasm, he left the cave and set out for Assisi, lively, brisk and gay. Armed with trust in Christ and inflamed with heavenly love, he reproached himself with cowardice and vain trepidation, and boldly decided to expose himself to the hands and blows of the persecutors.

At the first sight of him, those who knew him as he was before began to insult him, shouting that he was mad and senseless, throwing mud and stones at him.

Seeing him so changed, exhausted by penances, they attributed his change to exhaustion and dementia.

'But the knight of Christ passed through that storm without taking any notice of it, not letting himself be struck and agitated by the insults, giving thanks to God instead' (FF 1417).

Being called by God for his Kingdom involves living in the footsteps of Christ.

The servant is not superior to his master and is certainly tested as he is.

Strengthened by this, Francis lived in unity with Jesus the persecution of those who neither considered nor lived the Word of God.

«If the world hates you, know that it hated me first» (Jn 15:18)

Saturday of the 5th wk. in Easter  (Jn 15:18-21)

In today's Gospel verses Jesus calls us to love one another, as He has loved us, to the end.

In the life of Francis, this commandment shone particularly bright.

He loved his own with a predilection and cared for the poor and those lepers once abhorred.

The Sources inform us with significant passages.

"From then on he clothed himself with the spirit of poverty, an intimate feeling of humility and deep piety.

Whereas before he abhorred not only the company of lepers, but even seeing them from a distance, now, because of the crucified Christ, who, according to the words of the prophet, took on the despicable appearance of a leper, he served them with humility and gentleness, aiming at full self-loathing.

He often visited the homes of lepers; he generously gave them alms and with great compassion and affection kissed their hands and faces.

Even for the poor beggars he longed to spend not only his goods, but even himself.

Sometimes he would strip off his clothes for them, sometimes he would tear them to pieces, when he had nothing else to give.

He also assisted poor priests with reverence and piety, providing especially for the altar furnishings, thus becoming a sharer in divine worship, while providing for the needs of the ministers of worship" (FF 1036).

For the Poverello, giving his life for his friends was daily bread and joy of heart.

He had taught the brothers to help their brother in need and in danger, ready to give their lives so that the other might be.

In the Legend of the Three Companions

"One day when two brothers were walking together, they came across a madman, who started throwing stones at them.

One of them, seeing that the stones were directed at his companion, immediately stepped in front of him, preferring to be hit himself instead of his brother.

Such was the mutual love that inflamed them, and so sincerely were they ready to lay down their lives for one another" (FF 1447).

And again:

"To those who wanted to enter the Order, the Saint taught to repudiate the world first, offering to God first the external goods, then to make the interior gift of themselves" (FF 667).

Mutual love was his fixed ideal, thinking of what the Saviour had suffered so that we might be One.

«This is my commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you» (Jn 15:12)

Friday of the 5th wk. in Easter  (Jn 15:12-17)

In chapter fifteen of John, Jesus announces that his full Joy in us comes from abiding in his love.

Looking more closely at the life of the two Poor of Assisi, we realise that in the assiduous listening to the Word of God, translated into life, there was their authentic joy. Joy free from all kinds of trappings, of trifles aimed at delaying their going to Christ.

In the Sources, a repository of experiential firstfruits, we find passages that smell of naked beauty, of blissful poverty, of joy that finds its raison d'être in Union with God.

Already in his Admonitions Francis explains where true joy dwells.

«Blessed is that religious man, who has no joy and gladness except in the most holy words and works of the Lord, and through these leads men to the love of God with joy and gladness.

Woe to that religious man who delights in idle and frivolous words and with them leads men to laughter» (FF 170).

And in the Second Life of Celano:

"When the sweetest melody of the spirit fermented in his bosom, it manifested itself outwardly in French words, and the vein of divine inspiration, which his ear furtively perceived, overflowed in jubilation in the manner of a jester.

At times - as I have seen with my own eyes - he would pick up a piece of wood from the ground, and while holding it on his left arm, with his right he would take a bow held curved by a string and pass it over it, accompanying himself with suitable movements, as if it were a viella*, and he would sing in French the praises of the Lord.

Well often all this exultation ended in tears and the jubilation was diluted into mourning for the passion of the Lord.

Then the Saint, prey to continuous and prolonged sighs and renewed groans, forgetting what he had in his hand, remained stretched towards heaven" (FF 711).

And in the Legend Perugina:

"From the moment of his conversion to the day of his death, Francis was very hard, always, on his body. But his highest and most passionate commitment was to possess and preserve spiritual joy within himself.

He affirmed: «If the servant of God will take care to habitually have and preserve interior and exterior joy, joy that flows from a pure heart, in nothing can demons harm him, who will say:

«Since this servant of God keeps himself happy in tribulation as in prosperity, we do not find a breach to enter into him and do him harm» (FF 1653).

And Clare, in her letters to Agnes of Prague, her spiritual daughter, makes it clear what joy consists in that no one can take away from the friends of Jesus.

To the letters, above all, is delivered the secret of Clare, a «Woman enclosed» in the mystery of God.

His message is so simple as to appear almost a revelation: prayer, poverty, joy.

«Thou truly happy! It is granted to you to enjoy this sacred banquet, that you may adhere with all the fibres of your heart to Him, whose beauty is the untiring admiration of the blessed hosts of heaven.

The love of Him makes one happy, contemplation restores, kindness fills.

The gentleness of him pervades the whole soul, the memory shines sweetly in the memory.

At his perfume the dead rise and the glorious vision of him will form the happiness of the citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem» (FF 2901 - third letter).

*Five-stringed instrument proper to troubadours, similar to the viola.

Thursday of the 5th wk. in Easter  (Jn 15:9-11)

Jesus reminds us that He is the true vine and His Father the farmer. Only those who remain united to Jesus will bear much fruit.

Francis, ever since he had met the Lord, had been convinced that only by abiding in his love would he go far, together with his own.

In the Sources there is a passage that illustrates this.

"Francis, shepherd of the little flock, inspired by divine Grace, led his twelve friars to St Mary of the Portiuncula, because he wanted the Order of Minors to grow and develop, under the protection of the Mother of God, there where, by her merits, it had begun.

There, moreover, he became a herald of the Gospel. He began to travel through towns and villages and to proclaim the kingdom of God there, not relying on persuasive speeches of human wisdom, but on the demonstration of spirit and power.

To those who saw him, he looked like a man from another world: one who, his mind and face always turned to heaven, strove to draw all upwards.

From then on, the vineyard of Christ began to produce fragrant shoots of the good odour of the Lord, and abundant fruit with sweet flowers of grace and holiness" (FF 1072).

Francis strove to ensure that his fraternity would remain well united with Jesus, the true Vine, so that in Saint Mary of the Portiuncula the sap of the Spirit would permanently echo and the Trinity would dwell in them and among them.

She knew well that without God's help it would not be possible to do anything, not even to persevere in the call-mission she had received.

Throughout her life, she strove to ensure that the extended vineyard of the Friars Minor would bear fruitful fruit for God and never stray from the Gospel, Divine Custody.

Clare also was a prudent Mother, consummate so that her daughters and sisters would commit themselves to remain in the Word of God and in communion.

The austerity of life embraced was tempered by the deep love with which they were both tenaciously attached to the Vine of Christ.

«I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me and I in him bears much fruit, for without me you can do nothing» (Jn 15:5)

Wednesday of the 5th wk. in Easter  (Jn 15:1-8)