Before Francis preached sermons to the people they met, in passing through towns and castles he exhorted all men and women to fear God and to do penance for their sins, while brother Giles exhorted them to believe and to follow the excellent counsels of Francis.
When people heard them, they said: "Who are these men, and why do they speak like this?" They made this comment because at that time the fear and love of God had died out in the country and no one spoke of penance which indeed was considered a folly. This attitude was caused by the temptations of the flesh, the cupidity of the world, and the pride of life; the whole of mankind seemed engulfed in these evil forces.
Opinions varied about these men who were so obviously set on following the Gospel: some people declared that they were fools or drunk, but others maintained such words were those of folly.
Saint Francis of Assisi
Legend of the Three Companions
CHAPTER IX
When people heard them, they said: "Who are these men, and why do they speak like this?" They made this comment because at that time the fear and love of God had died out in the country and no one spoke of penance which indeed was considered a folly. This attitude was caused by the temptations of the flesh, the cupidity of the world, and the pride of life; the whole of mankind seemed engulfed in these evil forces.
Opinions varied about these men who were so obviously set on following the Gospel: some people declared that they were fools or drunk, but others maintained such words were those of folly.
Saint Francis of Assisi
Legend of the Three Companions
CHAPTER IX
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This is fantastic! I love this! Not because it is good but because it catches so well what was going on spiritually in the world and . . . what is going on in our world today as well! God have mercy on us! Jesus said, about the end of the world, "Because sin shall abound, the love of many shall grow cold" and 'When the Son of man returns will He find faith on earth?!' Jesus said this partly to encourage His disciples to never 'cease' praying. Sin, the power of darkness, violence, injustice, apathy (especially spiritual apathy) threaten to swallow us. However, a small light casts out - destroys - much darkness. We conquer evil with good, hate with love. Jesus IS the answer. His filling us with His own goodness - with His amazing, wonderful, beautiful and powerful love - is the answer. Through US - poor wretched sinners who acknowledge the fact to ourselves, to Him and the world, we make a start for 'Blessed are the poor in spirit - theirs is the Kingdom of heaven!'. God be exalted forever!
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