St. Francis of Assisi was poor only that he might be Christ-like. He recognized creation as another manifestation of the beauty of God. He did great penance that he might be totally disciplined for the will of God. Francis’ poverty meant a total dependence on the good God. All this was preliminary to the heart of his spirituality: living the gospel life, summed up in the charity of Jesus and perfectly expressed in the Eucharist.
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