Blessed is the servant who has been found as humble among his subjects as he was among his masters.
Blessed is the servant who always remains under the rod of correction.
Faithful and prudent is the servant who does not delay in punishing himself for all his offenses, inwardly through contrition and outwardly through confession and penance for what he did. (Mt24:45)
Saint Francis of Assisi
Source: St. Francis of Assisi, The Saint, Early Documents, New City Press
Showing posts with label Words of Francis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Words of Francis. Show all posts
Friday, September 24, 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
Admonition XXVI LET SERVANTS OF GOD HONOR THE CLERGY
Blessed is the servant who has faith in the clergy who live uprightly according to the rite of the Roman Church.
Woe to those who look down upon them; for even though they be sinners, no one should judge them because the Lord alone reserves judgment on them to Himself. For just as their ministry is greater in its concerns for the most holy Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which they receive and they alone administer to others, so those who sin against them commit more of a sin than (if they had sinned) against all other persons in this world.
Saint Francis of Assisi
Source: St. Francis of Assisi, The Saint, Early Documents, New City Press
Woe to those who look down upon them; for even though they be sinners, no one should judge them because the Lord alone reserves judgment on them to Himself. For just as their ministry is greater in its concerns for the most holy Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which they receive and they alone administer to others, so those who sin against them commit more of a sin than (if they had sinned) against all other persons in this world.
Saint Francis of Assisi
Source: St. Francis of Assisi, The Saint, Early Documents, New City Press
Friday, September 10, 2010
Admonition XIX A HUMBLE SERVANT OF GOD
Blessed is the servant who does not consider himself any better when he is praised and exalted by people than when he is considered worthless, simple and looked down upon, for what a person is before God, that he is and no more.
Woe to that religious who has been placed in a high position by others and (who) does not want to come down by his own will.
Blessed is that servant who is not placed in a high position by his own will and always desires to be under the feet of others. (Mt 24:46)
Saint Francis of Assisi
Source: St. Francis of Assisi, The Saint, Early Documents, New City Press
Woe to that religious who has been placed in a high position by others and (who) does not want to come down by his own will.
Blessed is that servant who is not placed in a high position by his own will and always desires to be under the feet of others. (Mt 24:46)
Saint Francis of Assisi
Source: St. Francis of Assisi, The Saint, Early Documents, New City Press
Friday, September 3, 2010
Admonition XVIII COMPASSION FOR A NEIGHBOR
Blesses is the person who support his neighbor in his weakness as he would want to be supported were he in a similar situation. (Gal 6:2; Mt 7:12)
Blessed is the servant who returns every good to the Lord God because whoever holds onto something for himself hides the money of his Lord God within himself, and what he thinks he has will be taken away from him. (Mt 25:18; lk 8:18).
Saint Francis of Assisi
Source: St. Francis of Assisi, The Saint, Early Documents, New City Press
Blessed is the servant who returns every good to the Lord God because whoever holds onto something for himself hides the money of his Lord God within himself, and what he thinks he has will be taken away from him. (Mt 25:18; lk 8:18).
Saint Francis of Assisi
Source: St. Francis of Assisi, The Saint, Early Documents, New City Press
Friday, August 27, 2010
Admonitions XXI - The Frivolous and the Talkataive Religious
Blessed is the servant who, when he speaks, does not disclose everything about himself under the guise of a reward and is not quick to speak, but who is wisely cautious about what he says and how he responds. (Pv 29:20)
Woe to that religious who does not hold in his heart the good things the Lord reveals to him and does not reveal them by his behavior, but, under the guise of a reward, wishes instead to reveal them with his words. He receives his reward and his listeners carry away little fruit. (Lk2:19, 51; MT 6:2,16)
Saint Francis of Assisi
Source: Francis of Assisi, The Saint, Early Documents published by New City Press
Woe to that religious who does not hold in his heart the good things the Lord reveals to him and does not reveal them by his behavior, but, under the guise of a reward, wishes instead to reveal them with his words. He receives his reward and his listeners carry away little fruit. (Lk2:19, 51; MT 6:2,16)
Saint Francis of Assisi
Source: Francis of Assisi, The Saint, Early Documents published by New City Press
Friday, August 20, 2010
Admonitions XXII CORRECTION
Blessed is the servant who endures discipline, accusation, and reprimand from another as patiently as he would from himself.
Blessed is the servant who, after being reprimanded, agrees courteously, submits respectfully, admits humbly, and makes amends willingly.
Blessed is the servant who is not quick to excuse himself, and endures with humility, shame, and reprimand for a sin, when he did not commit the fault.
Saint Francis of Assisi
Source: St. Francis of Assisi, The Saint, Early Documents, New City Press
Blessed is the servant who, after being reprimanded, agrees courteously, submits respectfully, admits humbly, and makes amends willingly.
Blessed is the servant who is not quick to excuse himself, and endures with humility, shame, and reprimand for a sin, when he did not commit the fault.
Saint Francis of Assisi
Source: St. Francis of Assisi, The Saint, Early Documents, New City Press
Friday, June 25, 2010
The Admonitions - XVII THE HUMBLE SERVANT OF GOD
Blessed is that servant who no more exalts himself over the good the Lord says or does through him than over what He says or does through another. (Mt 24:46)
A person sins who wished to receive more from his neighbor than what he wished to give of himself to the Lord God.
Saint Francis of Assisi
Admonition XVII The Humble Servant of God
Source: Francis of Assisi, The Saint, Early Documents published by New City Press
A person sins who wished to receive more from his neighbor than what he wished to give of himself to the Lord God.
Saint Francis of Assisi
Admonition XVII The Humble Servant of God
Source: Francis of Assisi, The Saint, Early Documents published by New City Press
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
A Letter to the Rulers of the Peoples
A LETTER TO THE RULERS OF THE PEOPLES
St. Francis of Assisi
Brother Francis, your little and looked-down upon servant in the Lord God, wishes health and peace to all mayors and consuls, magistrates and governors throughout the world and to all others to whom these words may come.
Reflect and see that the day of death is approaching. With all possible respect, therefore, I beg you not to forget the Lord because of the world’s cares and preoccupations and not to turn away from His commandments, for all those who leave Him in oblivion and turn away from His commandments are cursed and will be left in oblivion by Him. (Gn 47:29; Ps 119:21; Ex 33:13)
When the day of death does come, everything they think they have shall be taken from them. The wiser and more powerful they may have been in this world, the greater will be the punishment they will endure in hell. (Mt 13:12; Mk 4:25; Lk 8:18; Wis 6:7)
Therefore I strongly advise you, my Lords, to put aside all care and preoccupation and receive the most holy Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ with fervor in holy remembrance of Him. May you foster such honor to the Lord among the people entrusted to you that every evening an announcement may be made by a messenger or some other sign that praise and thanksgiving may be given by all people to the all powerful Lord God. If you do not do this, know that, on the day of judgment, you must render an account before the Lord Your God, Jesus Christ. (Mt 12:36)
Let those who keep this writing with them and observe it know that they will be blessed by the Lord God.
St. Francis of Assisi
Brother Francis, your little and looked-down upon servant in the Lord God, wishes health and peace to all mayors and consuls, magistrates and governors throughout the world and to all others to whom these words may come.
Reflect and see that the day of death is approaching. With all possible respect, therefore, I beg you not to forget the Lord because of the world’s cares and preoccupations and not to turn away from His commandments, for all those who leave Him in oblivion and turn away from His commandments are cursed and will be left in oblivion by Him. (Gn 47:29; Ps 119:21; Ex 33:13)
When the day of death does come, everything they think they have shall be taken from them. The wiser and more powerful they may have been in this world, the greater will be the punishment they will endure in hell. (Mt 13:12; Mk 4:25; Lk 8:18; Wis 6:7)
Therefore I strongly advise you, my Lords, to put aside all care and preoccupation and receive the most holy Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ with fervor in holy remembrance of Him. May you foster such honor to the Lord among the people entrusted to you that every evening an announcement may be made by a messenger or some other sign that praise and thanksgiving may be given by all people to the all powerful Lord God. If you do not do this, know that, on the day of judgment, you must render an account before the Lord Your God, Jesus Christ. (Mt 12:36)
Let those who keep this writing with them and observe it know that they will be blessed by the Lord God.
Source: Francis of Assisi, The Saint, Early Documents, published by New City Press
Friday, June 18, 2010
The Admonitions - XVI CLEANNESS OF HEART
Blessed are the clean in heart, for they will see God. (Mt 5:8)
The truly clean of heart are those who look down upon earthly things, seek those of heaven, and, with a clean heart and spirit, never cease adoring and seeing the Lord God living and true.
Saint Francis of Assisi
Admonitions XVI Cleanness of Heart
Source: Francis of Assisi, The Saint, Early Documents published by New City Press
The truly clean of heart are those who look down upon earthly things, seek those of heaven, and, with a clean heart and spirit, never cease adoring and seeing the Lord God living and true.
Saint Francis of Assisi
Admonitions XVI Cleanness of Heart
Source: Francis of Assisi, The Saint, Early Documents published by New City Press
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Francis on Prayer
The following may be the only instance in which we find an example of how Francis responded to his brothers’ request to teach them how to pray.
O Our Father most holy:Our Creator, Redeemer, Consoler, and Savior:
Who are in heaven:In the angels and the saints,
enlightening them to know, for You, Lord, are light;
inflaming them to love, for You, Lord, are love;
dwelling in them and filling them with happiness,
for You, Lord, are Supreme God, the Eternal Good,
from Whom all good comes
without Whom there is no good.
Holy be Your Name:
May knowledge of You become clearer in us
that we may know
the breadth of Your blessing,
the length of Your promises,
the height of Your majesty,
the depth of Your judgments
Your kingdom come:That you may rule in us through Your grace
and enable us to come to Your kingdom
where there is clearer vision of You,
perfect love of You,
blessed companionship with You,
eternal enjoyment of You.
Your will be done on earth as in heaven:
That we may love You
with our whole heart by always thinking of You,
with our whole soul by always desiring You,
with our whole mind by always directing all of our intentions to You,
and by seeking Your glory in everything,
with all our whole strength by exerting
all our energies and affections of body and soul
in the service of Your love and of nothing else;
and we may love our neighbor as ourselves
by drawing them all to Your love with our whole strength,
by rejoicing in the good of others as in our own,
by suffering with others at their misfortunes,
and by forgiving offense to no one.
Give us this day:
in remembrance, understanding and reverence
of that love which [our Lord Jesus Christ] had for us
and of those things that He said and did and suffered for us.
Our daily Bread:Your own beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Forgive us our trespasses:
through Your ineffable mercy
through the power of the passion of Your beloved Son
and through the merits and intercession
of the ever blessed Virgin and all Your elect.
As we forgive those who trespass against us:
And what we do not completely forgive,
make us Lord, forgive completely
that we may truly love our enemies because of You
and we may fervently intercede for them before You,
returning no one evil for evil
and we may strive to help everyone in You.
And lead us not into temptation:
hidden or obvious,
sudden or persistent.
But deliver us from evil:past
present,
and to come
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
make us Lord, forgive completely
that we may truly love our enemies because of You
and we may fervently intercede for them before You,
returning no one evil for evil
and we may strive to help everyone in You.
And lead us not into temptation:
hidden or obvious,
sudden or persistent.
But deliver us from evil:past
present,
and to come
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Source: Francis of Assisi, The Saint, Early Documents
Friday, May 28, 2010
The Admonitions XX - THE GOOD AND THE VAIN RELIGIOUS
Blessed is that religious who has no pleasure and delight except in the most holy words and deeds of the Lord and, with these, leads people to the love of God with gladness and joy. (Ps 51:10)
Woe to that religious who delights in idle and empty words and leads people to laughter with them.
ADMONITIONS XX – THE GOOD AND THE VAIN RELIGIOUS
St. Francis of Assisi
Source: St. Francis of Assisi, The Saint, Early Documents
Woe to that religious who delights in idle and empty words and leads people to laughter with them.
ADMONITIONS XX – THE GOOD AND THE VAIN RELIGIOUS
St. Francis of Assisi
Source: St. Francis of Assisi, The Saint, Early Documents
Friday, May 21, 2010
The Admonitions XXVII - VIRTUE PUTS VICE TO FLIGHT
Where there is charity and wisdom,
there is neither fear nor ignorance.
Where there is patience and humility,
there is neither anger nor disturbance.
Where there is poverty with joy,
there is neither greed nor avarice.
Where there is rest and meditation,
there is neither anxiety nor restlessness.
Where there is fear of the Lord to guard an entrance, (Lk 11:21)
there the enemy cannot have a place to enter.
Where there is a heart full of mercy and discernment
there is neither excess nor hardness of heart.
ADMONITIONS XXVII – VIRTUE PUTS VICE TO FLIGHT
St. Francis of Assisi
Source: St. Francis of Assisi, The Saint, Early Documents
there is neither fear nor ignorance.
Where there is patience and humility,
there is neither anger nor disturbance.
Where there is poverty with joy,
there is neither greed nor avarice.
Where there is rest and meditation,
there is neither anxiety nor restlessness.
Where there is fear of the Lord to guard an entrance, (Lk 11:21)
there the enemy cannot have a place to enter.
Where there is a heart full of mercy and discernment
there is neither excess nor hardness of heart.
ADMONITIONS XXVII – VIRTUE PUTS VICE TO FLIGHT
St. Francis of Assisi
Source: St. Francis of Assisi, The Saint, Early Documents
Friday, May 14, 2010
The Admonitions XXV - THE SAME POINT
Blessed is the servant who loves and respects his brother as much when he is far away from him as when he is with him, and who would not say anything behind his back that he would not say with charity in his presence.
ADMONITIONS XXV – THE SAME POINT
St. Francis of Assisi
Source: St. Francis of Assisi, The Saint, Early Documents
ADMONITIONS XXV – THE SAME POINT
St. Francis of Assisi
Source: St. Francis of Assisi, The Saint, Early Documents
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Francis' Praise of the Blessed Mother - Feast of Our Lady of Fatima
A Salutation of the Virtues
Hail, Queen Wisdom!
May the Lord protect You,
with Your Sister, holy pure Simplicity!
Lady holy Poverty,
may the Lord protect You,
with Your Sister, holy Humility!
Lady holy Charity,
may the Lord protect You,
with Your Sister, holy Obedience.
Most holy Virtues,
may the Lord protect all of You
from Whom You come and proceed.
There is surely no one in the whole world
who can possess any one of You
without dying first.
Whoever possesses one
and does not offend the others
possesses all.
Whoever offends one
does not possess any
and offends all.
And each one confounds vice and sin.
Holy Wisdom confounds
Satan and all his cunning.
Pure holy Simplicity confounds
all the wisdom of this world
and the wisdom of the body.
Holy Poverty confoundsthe desire for riches,
greed,
and the cares of this world.
Holy Humility confounds
pride,
all people who are in the world
and all that is in the world.
Holy Charity confounds
Holy Charity confounds
every diabolical and carnal temptation
and every carnal fear.
Holy Obedience confounds
every corporal and carnal wish,
binds its mortified body
to obedience of the Spirit
and obedience to one's brother,
so that it is
subject and submissive
to everyone in the world,
not only to people
but to every beast and wild animal as well
that they may do whatever they want with it
insofar as it has been given to them
from above by the Lord.
Source: Francis of Assisi, The Saint, Early Documents
Friday, May 7, 2010
The Admonitions X - CASTIGATING THE BODY
There are many people who, when they sin or are injured, frequently blame the enemy or their neighbor. (Gn 3:12-13) But it is not so, because each one has the enemy in his power, that is his body through which he sins.
Blessed is the servant, (Mt 24:46) then, who always holds captive the enemy delivered into his power and wisely safeguards himself from him, because, as long as he does this, no other enemy visible or invisible will be able to harm him.
ADMONITIONS X – CASTIGATING THE BODY
St. Francis of Assisi
Source: St. Francis of Assisi, The Saint, Early Documents
Blessed is the servant, (Mt 24:46) then, who always holds captive the enemy delivered into his power and wisely safeguards himself from him, because, as long as he does this, no other enemy visible or invisible will be able to harm him.
ADMONITIONS X – CASTIGATING THE BODY
St. Francis of Assisi
Source: St. Francis of Assisi, The Saint, Early Documents
Friday, April 30, 2010
The Admonitions XIV - POVERTY OF SPIRIT
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Mt 5:3)
There are many who, while insisting on prayers and obligations, inflict many abstinences and punishments upon their bodies. But they are immediately offended and disturbed about a single word which seems to be harmful to their bodies or about something which might e taken away from them. These people are not poor in spirit, for someone who is truly poor in spirit hates himself and loves those who strike him on the cheek.
ADMONITIONS XIV – POVERTY OF SPIRIT
St. Francis of Assisi
Source: St. Francis of Assisi, The Saint, Early Documents
There are many who, while insisting on prayers and obligations, inflict many abstinences and punishments upon their bodies. But they are immediately offended and disturbed about a single word which seems to be harmful to their bodies or about something which might e taken away from them. These people are not poor in spirit, for someone who is truly poor in spirit hates himself and loves those who strike him on the cheek.
ADMONITIONS XIV – POVERTY OF SPIRIT
St. Francis of Assisi
Source: St. Francis of Assisi, The Saint, Early Documents
Friday, April 23, 2010
The Admonitions XV - PEACE
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Mt. 5:9
These people are truly peacemakers who, regardless of what they suffer in this world, preserve peace of spirit and body out of love of our Lord Jesus Christ.
ADMONITIONS XV – PEACE
St. Francis of Assisi
Source: St. Francis of Assisi, The Saint, Early Documents
These people are truly peacemakers who, regardless of what they suffer in this world, preserve peace of spirit and body out of love of our Lord Jesus Christ.
ADMONITIONS XV – PEACE
St. Francis of Assisi
Source: St. Francis of Assisi, The Saint, Early Documents
Friday, April 16, 2010
The Admonitions VIII–AVOIDING THE SIN OF ENVY
The apostle says: No one can say: Jesus is Lord, except in the Holy Spirit; (1 Cor 12:3) and: There is not one who does good, not even one. (Rom 3:12)
Therefore, whoever envies his brother the good that the Lord says or does in him incurs a sin of blasphemy because he envies the Most High Himself Who says and does every good thing. (Mt 20:15)
ADMONITIONS VIII–AVOIDING THE SIN OF ENVY
St. Francis of Assisi
Source: St. Francis of Assisi, The Saint, Early Documents
Therefore, whoever envies his brother the good that the Lord says or does in him incurs a sin of blasphemy because he envies the Most High Himself Who says and does every good thing. (Mt 20:15)
ADMONITIONS VIII–AVOIDING THE SIN OF ENVY
St. Francis of Assisi
Source: St. Francis of Assisi, The Saint, Early Documents
Friday, April 9, 2010
The Admonitions VII – LET GOOD ACTION FOLLOW KNOWLEDGE
ADMONITIONS VII–LET GOOD ACTION FOLLOW KNOWLEDGE
St. Francis of Assisi
The apostle says: The letter kills, but the spirit gives life. (2 Cor 3)
Those people are put to death by the letter who only wish to know the words alone, that they might be esteemed wiser than others and be able to acquire great riches to give to their relatives and friends.
And those religious are put to death by the letter who are not willing to follow the spirit of the divine letter but, instead, wish only to know the words and to interpret them for others.
And those people are brought to life by the spirit of the divine letter who do not attribute every letter they know, or wish to know, to the body but, by word and example, return them to the most high Lord God to Whom every good belongs.
Source: St. Francis of Assisi, The Saint, Early Documents
St. Francis of Assisi
The apostle says: The letter kills, but the spirit gives life. (2 Cor 3)
Those people are put to death by the letter who only wish to know the words alone, that they might be esteemed wiser than others and be able to acquire great riches to give to their relatives and friends.
And those religious are put to death by the letter who are not willing to follow the spirit of the divine letter but, instead, wish only to know the words and to interpret them for others.
And those people are brought to life by the spirit of the divine letter who do not attribute every letter they know, or wish to know, to the body but, by word and example, return them to the most high Lord God to Whom every good belongs.
Source: St. Francis of Assisi, The Saint, Early Documents
Friday, April 2, 2010
The Admonitions I – THE BODY OF CHRIST
ADMONITIONS I – THE BODY OF CHRIST
St. Francis of Assisi
The Lord says to his disciples: I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father except though me. If you knew me, you would also know my Father, and from now on, you do know him and have seen him. Philip says to him: Lord, show us the Father and it will be enough for us. Jesus says to him: Have I been with you for so long a time and you have not known me? Philip, whoever sees me sees my Father as well. (Jn 14:6-9)
The Father dwells in inaccessible light, and God is spirit and no one has ever seen God. (1Tim 6:16; Jn 4:24; Jn 1:18) Therefore, He cannot be seen except in the Spirit because it is the Spirit that gives life; the flesh has nothing to offer. (Jn 6:63) But because He is equal to the Father, the Son is not seen by anyone other than the Father or than the Holy Spirit.
All those who saw the Lord Jesus according to the humanity, therefore, and did not see and believe according to the Spirit and the Divinity that He is the true Son of God were condemned. Now in the same way, all those who see the sacrament sanctified by the words of the Lord upon the altar at the hands of the priest in the form of bread and wine, and who do not see and believe according to the Spirit and the Divinity that it is truly the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, are condemned. This is affirmed by the Most High Himself Who says: This is my Body and the Blood of my new covenant which will be shed for many; and Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life. (Mk 14: 22,24; Jn 6:55) It is the Spirit of the Lord, therefore, That lives in Its faithful, That receives the Body and Blood of the Lord. All others who do no share in this same Spirit and presume to receive Him eat and drink judgment on themselves. (1 Cor 11:29)
Therefore: children, how long will you be hard of heart? (Ps 4:3) Why do you not know the truth and believe in the Son of God? (Jn 9:35) Behold, each day He humbles Himself as when He came from the royal throne (Phil 2:8; Wis 18:15) into the Virgin’s womb; each day He Himself comes to us, appearing humbly; each day He comes down from the bosom of the Father upon the altar in the hands of a priest.
As He revealed Himself to the holy apostles in true flesh, so He reveals Himself to us now in sacred bread. And as they saw only His flesh by an insight of their flesh, yet believed that He was God as they contemplated Him with their spiritual eyes, let us, as we see bread and wine with our bodily eyes, see and firmly believe that they are His most holy Body and Blood living and true. And in this way the Lord is always with His faithful, as He Himself says: Behold I am with you until the end of the age. (Mt 28:20)
Source: St. Francis of Assisi, The Saint, Early Documents
St. Francis of Assisi
The Lord says to his disciples: I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father except though me. If you knew me, you would also know my Father, and from now on, you do know him and have seen him. Philip says to him: Lord, show us the Father and it will be enough for us. Jesus says to him: Have I been with you for so long a time and you have not known me? Philip, whoever sees me sees my Father as well. (Jn 14:6-9)
The Father dwells in inaccessible light, and God is spirit and no one has ever seen God. (1Tim 6:16; Jn 4:24; Jn 1:18) Therefore, He cannot be seen except in the Spirit because it is the Spirit that gives life; the flesh has nothing to offer. (Jn 6:63) But because He is equal to the Father, the Son is not seen by anyone other than the Father or than the Holy Spirit.
All those who saw the Lord Jesus according to the humanity, therefore, and did not see and believe according to the Spirit and the Divinity that He is the true Son of God were condemned. Now in the same way, all those who see the sacrament sanctified by the words of the Lord upon the altar at the hands of the priest in the form of bread and wine, and who do not see and believe according to the Spirit and the Divinity that it is truly the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, are condemned. This is affirmed by the Most High Himself Who says: This is my Body and the Blood of my new covenant which will be shed for many; and Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life. (Mk 14: 22,24; Jn 6:55) It is the Spirit of the Lord, therefore, That lives in Its faithful, That receives the Body and Blood of the Lord. All others who do no share in this same Spirit and presume to receive Him eat and drink judgment on themselves. (1 Cor 11:29)
Therefore: children, how long will you be hard of heart? (Ps 4:3) Why do you not know the truth and believe in the Son of God? (Jn 9:35) Behold, each day He humbles Himself as when He came from the royal throne (Phil 2:8; Wis 18:15) into the Virgin’s womb; each day He Himself comes to us, appearing humbly; each day He comes down from the bosom of the Father upon the altar in the hands of a priest.
As He revealed Himself to the holy apostles in true flesh, so He reveals Himself to us now in sacred bread. And as they saw only His flesh by an insight of their flesh, yet believed that He was God as they contemplated Him with their spiritual eyes, let us, as we see bread and wine with our bodily eyes, see and firmly believe that they are His most holy Body and Blood living and true. And in this way the Lord is always with His faithful, as He Himself says: Behold I am with you until the end of the age. (Mt 28:20)
Source: St. Francis of Assisi, The Saint, Early Documents
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