The Little Flowers and the Life of St. Francis, with the...

that on the very day that he should preach, a certain poor man that was sick came unto him. On whom, having much compassion, he began to speak to his companion about his poverty and sickness, and his companion saith unto him: “True it is, brother, that he seemeth poor enough, yet haply in all the province is none that hath greater will to be rich.”

And being forthwith sharply rebuked by the Blessed Francis, he did ac- knowledge his fault. And the Blessed Francis saith: “Wilt thou on this account do the penance that I shall enjoin thee?” Who made answer: “Willingly will I do it.” And he said unto him: “Go and put off thy habit and cast thee down naked at the feet of the poor man, and tell him how thou hast sinned against him in disparaging him, and bid him that he pray for thee.” He went therefore and did all things as the Blessed Francis had bidden him. And after he had so done, he rose up and did put on his habit and went back to the Blessed Francis. And the Blessed Francis saith unto him: “Wouldst thou know how thou didst sin against him, yea rather, against Christ? When thou seest a poor man, thou oughtest to bethink thee of Him in whose name he cometh, to wit, Christ that did take upon Himself our poverty and infirmity, for his sickness and poverty be as it were a mirror unto us wherein we may look and with pity perceive the sickness and poverty of our Lord Jesus Christ.”