Tuesday, September 7 : Account of the three companions of Saint Francis of Assisi

One day, Lord Bernard approached Francis secretly, for he did not then have a companion… And Lord Bernard said: “Brother, I want to give away all my worldly goods for the love of my Lord who gave them to me, as it seems best to you.” Francis told him: “We will go to the church early in the morning and, through the book of the Gospels, we will learn how the Lord instructed his disciples.” Rising at daybreak, then, together with another man named Peter, who also wanted to become a brother, they went to the church… They entered for prayer, but, because they were simple, they did not know how to find the passage in the Gospel about renunciation. They prayed devoutly that the Lord would show them his will on opening the book the first time. When they had finished praying, Blessed Francis took the closed book and, kneeling before the altar, opened it. At its first opening the Lord’s counsel confronted them: “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell everything you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven”. Blessed Francis was overjoyed when he read this passage and thanked God. But since he was a true worshiper of the Trinity, he desired it to be confirmed by a threefold affirmation. He opened the book a second and a third time. When he opened it up the second time he saw: “Take nothing for your journey” (Lk 9,3) and at the third opening: “If any man wishes to come after me. he must deny himself” (Lk 9,23)… Francis said: “Brothers, this is our life and rule and that of all who will want to join our company. Go, therefore, and fulfill what you have heard.” Then Lord Bernard, who was very rich, after selling all he had and acquiring a large sum of money, went and distributed it all to the city’s poor… And, from that hour, they lived according to the form of the holy Gospel as the Lord had shown them. This is why Blessed Francis said in his Testament: “The Lord himself revealed to me that I should live according tot he form of the holy Gospel”.

maronite readings – rosary,team