
February 11, 2024
VI Sunday
in Ordinary Time
Year B
We interpret evangelical mercy like Francis of Assisi, for whom man is the image of Christ who tends towards resemblance.
«AND I USED MERCY ON THEM»
We leave today’s evangelical passage to be commented on by Francis of Assisi, whose eighth centenary of the stigmata marks this year, imprinted by the crucified Seraph on the Saint on Monte della Verna in 1224. Francis’ Christian journey passes through the acceptance of his brother leper in whom, although covered by a mantle of humiliating fragility, the risen Lord is alive and present. But as long as appearance remained decisive for Francis (the leper was unbearable in his eyes and horrible to look at) he was unable to take the big step of finding man where he truly is: in Christ. Francesco initially resolved this drama by running away, but subsequently, also faithful to his ideal of chivalry, he got down from his position (from the horse) and embraced the leper, and, according to Celano’s story, he even kissed his hand. The reason is clear: in the leper’s wounds he recognizes the stigmata of the Crucifix. The leper Francis was reciprocated with a kiss of peace. Thinking back to that meeting, the Saint would write in his Testament: «The Lord told me, Brother Francis, to begin to do penance: when I was in sin, it seemed too bitter to see lepers; and the Lord himself led me among them and I showed mercy. And by moving away from them, what seemed bitter to me was changed into sweetness of mind and body.” For Francis, man is an image of Christ who tends towards resemblance. Of course, often the image is unrecognizable, but hospitality and love can bring back its splendour. The risk is always that of identifying evil with the person himself. By doing so, however, his rebirth will never be allowed but his end will be decreed in advance. As a pictorial icon to comment on the Gospel we go to the Bardi chapel in Santa Croce (Fi) where we find a small panel with a Francis among the lepers. Francis is so maternal towards his sick and marginalized brothers that he takes one on his knee and washes the feet – following the example of the Master – of another.
Commentary by b. Sandro Carotta, osb
Abbazia di Praglia (Italy)
Translation by f. Mark Hargreaves,
Prinknash Abbey