Copied from book cited below [1]:
One winter his holy little body was covered with only a single tunic. It was mended with cheap patches. His guardian, who was also his companion, acquired a piece of fox fur and brought it to him, saying: "Father, you're suffering illness in your spleen and stomach; so I'm begging your charity in the Lord to allow this skin to be sewn inside you tunic. And if you don't want the whole skin, at least take some of it to cover your stomach." The blessed Francis answered him: "If you want me to put up with this under my tunic, have another piece of the same size sewn on the outside, telling people that a piece of fur is hidden underneath." The brother heard, but did not agree; he insisted, but got nowhere. At last his guardian gave in, and one piece was sewn on top of the other, so that Francis should not appear differently on the outside than he was on the inside.
Oh, the same in word and in life!The same outside and inside!The same as subject and as prelate!You, who would always boast in the Lord,loved nothing of outward glory,nothing of personal glory!But, please I do not wish to offendthose covered in furs,if I say: "sin for skin!"After all,we know those stripped of innocenceneeded tunics made of skins!
Separately, GMA News Online in the Philippines posted ten photographs in an article entitled Pets receive blessing via drive-thru ahead of Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, World Animal Day. Here is the link:
[1] Armstrong, Regis J., O.F.M. Cap.(2000) Francis of Assisi, Early Documents: Volume II, The Founder. NY: New City Press. Pages 332-3, Chapter XCIII, second paragraph and poem, copied without emphasis in bold and in italics.
No comments:
Post a Comment