The Writings of St. Francis of Assisi - + Saints' Works

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Chapter IX. On love THE WRITINGS OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI The Lord says: "Love your enemies; [do good to those who hate you, and pray on behalf of those who are persecuting and calumniating you]" (Mt 5:44). · For he truly loves his enemy, who does not grieve because of the injury, which he did to him, · but, concerning the sin against his own soul, burns for the sake of the love (amor) of God. 22 · And he shows love (dilectio) for him from (his) works. 23 Chapter X. On the chastisement of the body There are many, who while they sin or receive injury, often blame their enemy or neighbor. · But it is not so: because each one has in his own power (his) enemy, namely the body, 24 through which he sins. · Whence "blessed is that servant" (Mt 24:46), who having surrendered such an enemy into his own power, 25 has held it always captive and wisely guarded himself from it; · because, as long as he has does this, no other enemy, visible or invisible, will be able to harm him. 26 Chapter XI. That no one should be corrupted by the wickedness of another No thing ought to displease the servant of God except sin. · And in whatever manner another person would sin, even on account of this the servant of God, out of charity, would not be upset or grow angry, (as one who) hoards up fault for himself (cf. Rm 2:5). · That servant of God, who does not grow angry nor disturbs himself on another's behalf, lives rightly without anything of his own. 27 · And blessed is he, who does not let anything remain for himself, 28 rendering those things "which are Caesar's to Caesar, and those which are God's to God" (Mt 22 That is, burns from the love of God so as to reconcile his brother to God, rather than burning from hatred of his brother so as to do him evil in return. Since bearing suffering, especially when this suffering is brought on from injustices received from neighbors and family members, can be so meritorious, St. Francis encourages his sons to its practice, by reminding them that it serves and honors that which he valued so greatly himself, the love of God. This joy in the service of divine Love is what is meant by "rejoicing in one's sufferings" and sharing in the victory of the Cross (compare Rm 8:16-18; 2 Cor 4:10,17; 12:7-9; 1 Pt 2:19-21; 3:17; 4:12-13; 1 Pt 5:10). 23 cf. St. Augustine, Sermo LXXXII, III, 4; PL 38,507-8. 24 In the sense that the body, perverted in its harmony with the soul by the effects of original sin, is now a source of temptation. The importance of holding this enemy in contempt is, for St. Francis, one of the crucial struggles of the Christian life; for unless this be done, the individual will succumb to judging all things according to their relation to the satisfaction of the body, that is, without any relation to supernatural goods and the standards of the divine and moral law. This is the origin of that manner of judging which in Catholic teaching is called "the carnal mind." 25 By means of mortification of the senses, fasting, and other penances. 26 cf. John Cassian, Institutiones V,21; CSEL XVII,98. 27 For to be upset that others are not as we would like them to be, is avariciousness and selfishness, not that virtuous anger which the Scriptures call "righteous" (compare Lk 9:51-56 and Jn 2:13-17). 28 i.e. does not fail to render all thanks, praise, honor, and glory to God for the good He does through him for others' sake, in him for his own sake, and for him through others. Page - 24
22:21). Chapter XII. On recognizing the spirit 29 of God THE WRITINGS OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI Thus can the servant of God be known, if he has the spirit of the Lord: · when the Lord works through him anything good, if his flesh for that reason would not exalt itself, 30 because it is always contrary to every good, · but if he rather would hold himself up before (his own) eyes as more vile and esteem himself less than all other men. 31 Chapter XIII. On patience "Blessed (are) the peacemakers, since they shall be called sons of God" (Mt 5:9). The servant of God cannot know how much patience and humility he has in himself, while he is satisfied. · However when the time has come, that those who ought to satisfy him, do the contrary to him, as much patience and humility (is) there, that much he has and not more. Chapter XIV. On poverty of spirit "Blessed (are) the poor in spirit, since theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven" (Mt 5:3). · There are many, who persisting in prayers and (liturgical) offices practice many abstinences and afflict their own bodies, · but because of a single word, which seems to be injurious to their bodies 32 or because of anything, which is brought against them, being scandalized, they are continually disturbed. · These are not poor in spirit; since he who is truly poor in spirit, 33 hates his very self and loves those who beat him in the face (cf. Mt 5:39). Chapter XV. On peace "Blessed (are) the peacemakers, since they shall be called sons of God" (Mt 5:9). · Those truly are the peacemakers, who concerning all those things, which they suffer in this age, preserve peace in soul and body for the sake of the love (amor) of Our Lord Jesus Christ. 29 i.e. the signs of authentic inspiration by the Holy Spirit. 30 Through proud thoughts, words, or deeds. 31 On account of the abyss that lies between God's goodness to him and his corresponding goodness towards God. 32 i.e. their natural endowments, rights, or reputation in the sight of men. 33 "Poor in spirit" is the habit of mind that considers one's owns worth in the light of truths of the Faith and four last things: death, judgement, Heaven and Hell; for the consideration of one's sinfulness and spiritual debts before God leads to the realization that all one suffers is but a very small portion of the punishment one in fact deserves. Page - 25
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Chapter X On the admonition and cor
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eighth year of Our Pontificate. 347
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Chapter XV That the friars are not
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things throughout the ages. Amen. C
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Fragments of other rules [Frag] THE
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II. From the writings of Hugo of Di
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