St. Francis's Compassion for Those Who Suffer
"He turned with marvelous tenderness and compassion toward anyone afflicted with physical suffering; and when he noticed deprivation or need in anyone, he saw in that person the suffering Christ himself. The love of Christ only intensified his natural bent toward compassion." --St. Bonaventure, Major Life, 8:5
When I read "he saw in that person the suffering Christ himself" I thought of Christ's words in Matthew 25:39-40: "'When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' 'The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, whatever you did for one of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'" Those who are suffering are mirrors of Christ's suffering for us.
"He turned with marvelous tenderness and compassion toward anyone afflicted with physical suffering; and when he noticed deprivation or need in anyone, he saw in that person the suffering Christ himself. The love of Christ only intensified his natural bent toward compassion." --St. Bonaventure, Major Life, 8:5
When I read "he saw in that person the suffering Christ himself" I thought of Christ's words in Matthew 25:39-40: "'When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' 'The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, whatever you did for one of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'" Those who are suffering are mirrors of Christ's suffering for us.
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