Chapter CLX. How he took counsel with a certain brother about caring for his body

Of S. Francis' Infirmities

210. Amid countless labours and grievous sicknesses, Francis, God's herald, trod in the footprints of Christ, nor did he draw back his foot until he had even more perfectly accomplished that which he had perfectly begun. For though he was enfeebled and wholly shattered in body, he never halted in his pursuit of perfection, never suffered himself to relax the rigour of discipline; and even now that his body was worn out he could not give it even a little relief without some murmuring of conscience. Therefore when it became necessary even against his will to ease his bodily distresses (which were beyond his strength to bear) with some soothing remedies, he called one of the brethren, who he knew would give him expedient counsel, and said kindly to him: "What thinkest thou, dearest son, of the frequent murmuring of my conscience touching the care of my body? It fears lest I be over-indulgent to the body in its sickness and lest I be eager to relieve it with delicacies carefully sought out. Not that it can take anything with pleasure now that it is worn by long infirmity and that all incitement of taste has gone." 211. The son (recognising that the words of his answer were being given him by the Lord) made heedful reply to the father saying: "Tell me, father, if thou deignest to do so, with what diligence thy body, while it could, obeyed thy behests?" "I bear it witness, my son," answered S. Francis, "that it has been obedient in all things and has spared itself in nothing but has (as it were) rushed headlong to obey all commands. It has shirked no toil, has refused no discomfort, if only it might do as it was bid. Herein have I and it been in perfect agreement, that we should serve Christ the Lord without any reluctance." And the brother said: "Where, then, father, is thy liberality? where thy compassion and thine eminent discretion?

Is it a worthy rewarding of faithful friends to accept a kindness gladly, and then in the time of his need not to requite the giver's merit? How could'st thou have served Christ thy Lord all this time without the help of the body? Has it not, as thou thyself allowest, exposed itself to every danger, for the sake of this very thing?" "I confess, my son," said the father, "that this is most true." Then said the son: "Is it reasonable that thou shouldest be wanting in such great need to so faithful a friend who has for thy sake exposed himself and what is his even unto death? Be it far from thee, father, stay and staff of the afflicted: be this sin against the Lord far from thee." "Blessed be thou, also, my son," he answered, "who hast wisely ministered such salutary remedies to my scruples." And he began joyfully to address his body thus: "Rejoice, brother body, and forgive me, for behold now I gladly fulfil thy desires, and gladly hasten to attend to thy complaints." But what could delight his frail and exhausted body now? What could sustain that which had given way on every side? Francis was now dead to the world, but Christ was living in him. The world's delights were a cross to him, because he bore Christ's cross rooted in his heart. And therefore did the stigmata shine outwardly in his flesh because within that deeply planted root was sprouting in his mind.