Saint Francis
“Holy Obedience is a precious daughter of God." The bishop coughed, hesitating in order to work out beforehand what to say and how to say it so that Francis would not be infuriated.
"I've been told," he began finally, "that the faithful who are following in your train grow more numerous every day and that they have been pouring into this city and the nearby villages, knocking on doors to ask for alms. This is not as it should be! Everyone here is poor. How long do you expect such people to h...ave extra bread to give to you and your followers?" Francis lowered his head without answering. The bishop extended his hand and brought it down heavily on the Bible, which lay opened next to him.
"Besides, you forget what the Apostle says: If any will not work, neither should he eat." His voice was angry now.
"We pray, we preach--that is work too," Francis murmured, but the bishop did not hear. "Therefore, both as your bishop and as a father who loves you," he continued, "I have two requests to ask of you: first, that you put all your followers to work so that they shall no longer expect to live from the sweat of others; second, that you have something in reserve--a small property, a field, a vineyard or olive grove--and that you work it and lay up each year whatsoever God grants to the farmers.MoreLess
"I've been told," he began finally, "that the faithful who are following in your train grow more numerous every day and that they have been pouring into this city and the nearby villages, knocking on doors to ask for alms. This is not as it should be! Everyone here is poor. How long do you expect such people to h...ave extra bread to give to you and your followers?" Francis lowered his head without answering. The bishop extended his hand and brought it down heavily on the Bible, which lay opened next to him.
"Besides, you forget what the Apostle says: If any will not work, neither should he eat." His voice was angry now.
"We pray, we preach--that is work too," Francis murmured, but the bishop did not hear. "Therefore, both as your bishop and as a father who loves you," he continued, "I have two requests to ask of you: first, that you put all your followers to work so that they shall no longer expect to live from the sweat of others; second, that you have something in reserve--a small property, a field, a vineyard or olive grove--and that you work it and lay up each year whatsoever God grants to the farmers.MoreLess
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