Murray Bodo, OFM

Francis lay upon the cold ground of his hut at St. Mary of the Angels and felt nothing but the touch of Jesus in his feet and hands and side.

Its life, so brief and vulnerable, was an act of praise as everyone’s life should be.

In suffering Francis felt especially close to Jesus. Not that he wanted to punish himself or that he took delight in pain, but in illness he saw a weakness that was strength.

Francis prayed day and night that God would give all people the courage to be themselves instead of what others expected them to be.

We can be still, and let the Word send down His Spirit.