The Testament of 1226, FAED, page 124.

The Lord gave me, Brother Francis, thus to begin doing penance in this way: for when I was in sin, it seemed too bitter for me to see lepers. And the Lord Himself led me among them and I showed mercy to them. And when I left them, what had seemed bitter to me was turned into sweetness of soul and body. And afterwards I delayed a little and left the world.

For Reflection

Name a fear you have encountered in your life? What have you learned from this fear? Or what are you learning from this fear?

How do you relate to people who are different than yourself? Who is the leper in your life and what needs to happen for you to embrace this leper?