There is a certain something about saints. Hundreds, thousands, even millions of people know about them and try to imitate their virtues, but the saints themselves did not view themselves as anyone of importance. 

Francis practiced this idea of self-scorn, often in a very radical way. Many people followed him, even in his own day. When asked why, Francis insisted that God had looked down and chosen the most useless and sinful of creatures. This was no false attitude. He knew that whatever good he did came from God. He was only the instrument. 

When his father demanded that Francis return the money for the cloth he had sold to fix the Portiuncula, Francis publicly stripped in front of his father and the Bishop, returning every penny and renouncing his earthly status. 

When the people of Assisi mocked Francis, he did not react by defending himself. He welcomed all the insults as a way to be like Christ. 

Francis also intentionally acted like a jester or a fool for God, considering the blows to his ego and his reputation as pure spiritual profit. 

As we mentioned last week, Francis also had a certain contempt for his physical body. He inflicted severe penances on himself, which he famously repented for late in life. He reminds us, however, not to seek comfort above all else. 

Francis’ scorn for himself, however, should not be viewed as self-hatred. He knew that God was his Father and that he was loved. His disregard for himself was merely a tool he used to imitate Christ and grow in holiness. 

This week, let us set aside our own understanding and trust, as Francis did, that any good we do comes from God alone.