Two years after Francis' conversion, three companions had joined him; Brother Bernardo, Peter Catani and Brother Giles. When the people heard them preach, 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 as 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 three evil forces.
Saint Francis of Assisi
Legend of the Three Companions - 34
T
There's nothing new under the sun, is there? This could have been written today with just as much a sombre meaning as was experienced 800 years ago by Francis and his early followers...
ReplyDeleteI was thinking the same thing. Times of faith come and go, if you happen to be living in an ebb tide time, there's no reason to panic and assume things will continue to fall apart until your faith is extinct.
ReplyDelete