Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Luke 6:30
“There was a man in the city of Assisi, by name of Francis, whose memory is blessed for that God, graciously preventing him with the blessings of goodness, delivered him in His mercy from the perils of this present life and abundantly filled him with the gifts of heavenly grace.
For, albeit in his youth he was reared in vanity amid the vain sons of men, and, after gaining some knowledge of letters, was appointed unto a profitable business of merchandise, nevertheless, by the aid of the divine protection, he went not astray among the wanton youths after the lusts of the flesh, albeit given up unto pleasures; nor among the covetous merchants, albeit intent on his gains, did he put his trust in money and treasure.
For there was divinely implanted in the heart of young Francis a certain generous compassion to the poor, the which, growing up with him, from infancy, had so filled his heart with kindliness that, when he came to be no deaf hearer of the Gospel, he was so minded to give unto all that asked of him, in especial if they pleaded the love of God.
But once on a time, when he had been busied with the cares of his trading, and, contrary unto his won’t, had sent empty away a certain beggar who besought an alms for the love of God, he forthwith, returning unto his pitiful mind, ran after him, and bestowed alms in merciful wise upon him; promising unto the Lord God that thenceforward he would never, while he could, refuse any that asked of him, pleading the love of God. And this promise with unwearied goodness he did observe until his death.”
Bonaventure of Bagnoregio (1217-1274) in The Life of Saint Francis (London: Aeterna, 2016) 537. Bonaventure was a close friend of Francis of Assisi and the scholar among the founding members of the Franciscan order of monks. We have him to thank for the writings about Francis and the order. This story inspires me how the obedience of one to the gospel can impact many.
When I explored the theme of abundance in the writings of Bonaventure, I was struck with the reality that drove Francis. He realized all He had in Christ was so much better than what the world offered that He could not help but minister to others with “a certain generous compassion.” The “cares of his trading” left him empty as compared to sharing the love of God.
As Bonaventure puts it, Francis was “no deaf hearer of the Gospel.” May that be said of you and me! That we did not just hear the Word, but that our lives would be characterized as having obeyed it with all our strength. May God help us not go astray with the “aid of divine protection,” and make His love known through the “unwearied goodness” of our generous lives.