The Essential Good News

• Jesus
• Who I Am
• The Gospel Way Of Life

Mary

Saint Francis - wounded healer

• St Francis
• A Song from Francis to Clare
• A Song from Francis to God
• Portrait of a poor man
• Testament
• Blessing

Saint Clare, the new woman

• St Clare
• A Letter from Clare
• A Clare Icon
• Form of Life
• Testament
• Blessing

Saint Colette, Faith in the future

• St Colette
• A letter from Colette
• Testament
• Paul Claudel's Song for Colette
• Henry VIII on Colette
• Blessing
• The Chaplet of St Colette

 

 

 

 

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.... This picture is not an icon in the formal [and Byzantine] artistic sense, it is more an icon like those on your computer screen. It was painted by Giotto and is part of a fresco in the Basilica of St Francis. There are two contemporary portraits of Francis, one at Mount Subasio, and one at Greccio of him, weeping. Giotto has followed this latter portrait. And it fits well the detailed and not entirely flattering description of Francis, given by Thomas of Celano [First Life ch.29]:
.... "He was very eloquent, with a cheerful appearance and a kind face; free of laziness and arrogance. He was of medium height, closer to short, his head was of medium size and round. His face was somewhat long and drawn, his forehead small and smooth, with medium eyes, black and clear. His hair was dark, his eyebrows were straight, and his nose even and thin; his ears small and upright, and his temples smooth. His tongue was peaceable; fiery and sharp. His voice was powerful, but pleasing clear and musical. His teeth were white, well set and even; his lips were small and thin; his beard black and sparse; his neck was slender, his shoulders straight; his arms were short, his hands slight, his fingers long and his nails tapered. He had thin legs, small feet, fine skin and little flesh. his clothing was rough, his sleep short, his hand generous.
.... Now, lay all this aside and look at this picture as if it were a "moon reflection I look into the gentle, humble, rather ordinary eyes of Francis. He looks back. He can only see me now in God's eyes. Where he lives, the Lamb is the light of the city. His look is welcoming, it includes me in.
.... I take a step nearer. I gaze. I see that he is inviting me to observe the wound in his side that he hid so devotedly while on earth. I look at the nails in his hands and feet - formed, not of the metal of human rejection like Christ's, but of his own flesh. I consider. I take a step nearer. I reflect on my own life. I, too, expose my wounds to God that they may be healed and transformed. I reflect on the life of Jesus and I see his glorious wounds irradiating heaven. I contemplate. I take a step nearer and it takes me through the picture into the reality. I am inside the picture, inside the suffering and glorious wounds, and I am gazing out through the eyes of Francis that are is eyes. I see the whole of creation through his eyes, one with his mind. I see it in love, awe and reverence. I see myself, now, objectively, with the same love, awe and reverence. I am drawn into the love of the Father by the joy of the Holy Spirit, even as I am part of the Body of Christ.
.... I pray the Lord's Prayer, slowly.

Our Father
who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done
on earth
as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us
and lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.

Then I lift up my heart to God with the words of the Didache which come after the Our Father, at Mass:

For the kingdom,
the power
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever
Amen.