O Radix Jesse : Come, Let Nothing Keep You From Coming To Our Aid.

A reading from ‘The Legend ofthe Three Companions’ of Saint Francis.
Rising at daybreak, Francis and Bernard, together with another man named Peter, who also wanted to become a brother, went to the church of San Nicolo next to the piazza of the city of Assisi. They entered for prayer but, because they were simple, they did not know how to find the passage in the gospel about renunciation. They prayed devoutly that the Lord would show them his will on opening the book the first time.
Once they had finished prayer, blessd Francis took the closed book and, kneeling before the altar, opened it. At its first opening, the Lord’s counsel confronted them: ‘If you wish to be perfect, go, sell everything you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.’
Blessed Francis was overjoyed when he read this passage and thanked God But since he was a true worshipper of the Trinity, he desired it to be confirmed by a threefold affirmation. He opened the book a second and a third time. When he opened it up the second time, he saw: ‘Take nothing for your journey’; and at the third opening: ‘If any one wishes to come after me, he must deny himself.’
Each time he opened the book, blessed Francis thanked God for confirming his plan and the desire he had earlier conceived. After the third divine confirmation was pointed out and explained, he said to those men, Bernard and Peter, ‘Brothers, this is our life and rule and that of all who will want to join our company. Go, therefore, and fulfil what you have heard.’
Then Lord Bernard, who was very rich, after selling all he had and acquiring a large sum of money, went and distributed it all to the city’s poor. Peter, likewise, followed the divine counsel according to his means.
After ridding themselves of everything, they both received the habit which the saint had adopted after he had put aside the habit of a hermit; and, from that hour, they lived with him according to the form of the holy gospel, as the Lord had shown them. This is why blessed Francis said in his Testament:  ‘The Lord himself revealed to me that I should live according to the form of the holy gospel.’

 

O Flower of Jesse’s stem, you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples; kings stand silent in your presence; the nations bow down in worship before you.   Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid.

 

Be sure to visit us tomorrow for O Clavis David…