St. Francis of Assisi - November 7

On Taking Correction

"Blessed are those servants who bear correction, accusation, and reproof from another as patiently as if it came from themselves."  --St. Francis, Admonition 20

This is an excellent way to receive criticism.  We are more likely to receive the criticism from ourselves than from others.  This way we will take to heart what is true and let the rest go.

St. Francis of Assisi - November 6

Willingness to Bear Shame

"Blessed are those servants who are not quick to excuse themselves and who humbly put up with shame and reproach for sins they are not guilty of."  --St. Francis, Admonition 22

When we are unjustly maligned we must remember that it God who judges us.  His judgment is the only one that matters.

St. Francis of Assisi - November 5

On Not Being Angry or Troubled

"No matter how someone else sins, if you let yourself be upset or angered over it, except for charity's sake, you store up for yourself--like a treasure--the sin of the other.  But, servant of God, if you do not become angry or indignant over someone else, you are living justly and poorly, that is, without claiming anything for your own."  --St. Francis, Admonition 11

To become angry about someone's action is to be judgmental.  When we are judgmental we can not love that person.

St. Francis of Assisi - November 4

Rendering to God What Is His

"Blessed are you, servant of God, if you attribute all that is good in yourself to the Lord God; for if you hold back anything for yourself, you hide inside yourself your Lord's money (cf. Mt 25:18), and what you think you have will be taken from you (cf. Lk 8:18)."  --St. Francis, Admonition 18

Even if we give God the glory for all that is good about ourselves, such as our talents, but do not use it for His glory, He will take it from us.  This is the simple admonition "use it or lose it."

St. Francis of Assisi - November 3

The True Spirit of the Lord

"This is how, servant of God, you will know that you have the spirit of the Lord:  If when the Lord does something good through you, the flesh does not get puffed up (for the flesh is ever in opposition to what is good); but instead, you remain less in your own eyes, less than all other people."  --St. Francis, admonition 12

God loves us unconditionally and if we are to serve Him we must serve others unconditionally.  This means we must serve without need of recognition because, as Francis points out, the flesh can be easily "puffed up".  The only way we can do this is by His Spirit because the flesh will always want its due.

St. Francis of Assisi - November 2

The Cursed and the Blessed, Happy Ones

"Those who do not wish to taste how sweet the Lord is and who prefer darkness to light (cf. Jn 3:19), not wishing to observe the commandments of God, are cursed; of these the prophet says:  They are 'accursed, who stray from your commandments' (Ps 119:21).  On the other hand, how happy and blessed are those who love the Lord and do as the same Lord says in the Gospel, 'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind,' and 'your neighbor as yourself' (Mt 22:37-40)."  --St. Francis, Letter to All the Faithful, Second Version

Francis compares life with God and without Him.  When one prefers the dark it is usually because they have something to hide or to hide from.  It is a fearful place to be!  But in the light we are exposed and cannot hide.  It is there God's love can guide and protect us.  It is where His Truth is revealed and peace shall be found.

St. Francis of Assisi - November 1

St. Francis Exhorts His Brothers

"Hear, 'listen carefully to what I say' (Ac 2:14).  Bend the ear of your heart and obey the voice of the Son of God.  Keep his precepts in the depths of your heart and fulfill perfectly his counsels.  'Give thanks to Yahweh for he is good' (Ps 136:1) and extol him in your works, because he has sent you into the whole world for this, namely, to give testimony to his voice in word and work and to make known to all that there is no other Almighty besides him."  --St. Francis, Letter to the Whole Order

To "bend the ear" of our hearts is to listen--not just hear.  When we listen to God we imply we intend to do what we hear.  And when we listen with our hearts I should think we can't help but obey!