OFS Oxford

Monthly virtual (Zoom) meeting held jointly with OFS Fraternity Aarhus, Denmark

Time: 6:30 pm to 8.30 pm BST, Thursday

No. of Attendees: 9

We looked again at Reflection 47 – ‘Perfect Joy’ from ‘Live Like Francis’ (Leonard Foley O.F.M., Jovian Weigel O.F.M.).  The text of the Reflection is based on a classic story of dialogue between St. Francis and Brother Leo, on a cold winter walk from Perugia to St. Mary of the Angels, in that book of Franciscan tradition called the Fioretti – “The Little Flowers” – of St. Francis. It summarizes the spirit of Francis.

Also brought to our attention was a shorter form of the story from Armstrong, Hellmann, Short: Francis of Assisi – early documents Vol I Writings of St Francis (p 166-167):

I return from Perugia and arrive here in the dead of night. It’s winter time, muddy, and so cold that icicles have formed on the edges of my habit and keep striking my legs and blood flows from such wounds. Freezing, covered with mud and ice, I come to the gate and, after I’ve knocked and called for some time, a brother comes and asks: ’Who are you?’ ‘Brother Francis,’ I answer. ‘Go away!’ he says. ‘This is not a decent hour to be wandering about! You may not come in!’ When I insist, he replies: ‘Go away! You are simple and stupid! Don’t come back to us again! There are many of us here like you – we don’t need you!’ I stand again at the door and say: ‘For the love of God, take me in tonight!’ And he replies: ‘I will not! Go to the Crosiers’ place and ask there!’. I tell you this: If I had patience and did not become upset, true joy, as well as true virtue and the salvation of my soul, would consist in this.  

We discussed how the joy of reaching out to others in charity can be dampened when there is no response or acknowledgement, how to respond when charity is rejected, real joy that lies beyond the pursuit of worldly happiness, acceptance of suffering through the imitation of Christ.

The meeting concluded with a closing prayer: “True joy guides my life toward you, dear God. Joy can come even in times of sadness because you are with me in the pain and suffering. You are my joy! Amen.”