After absent-mindedly rebuffing a beggar asking for alms "for the love of God!" Francis says: "Had this poor man asked you for something in the name of some distinguished count or baron, you certainly would have given him his request. How much more ought you do it for the King of Kings and the Lord of all things?"
Francis was 'still in the world' when accosted by a beggar who asked, "For the love of God, give me something". Francis, a young man with resources, was too busy to stop. The beggar - one of the many who lived in and around the town of Assisi - was well known to all and had become for Francis and the rest of the townsfolk - part of the back ground (a place they all wanted him to stay!) Francis quickly rushed past him, without a word - without a thought.
Francis was having intense experiences with God during prayer and had been hearing - loud and clear - the voice of God speaking in his heart. In fact, when confronted by the beggar, he may have been off on a spiritual errand (to Mass or to pray). Francis was in no mood to be delayed by anyone, let alone a beggar, in his 'important' errands!
However, after moving past the beggar, God stopped Francis in his tracks with this thought: what if a noble lord had sent his servant to Francis to ask for help?! Francis realized, that if that had happened, his heart would probably race with excitement, with the honor and awe of being asked for something, in the name of this great Lord!
He then considered (as God nurtured the ideas in his mind) that the appearance of that servant would not matter to Francis, as long as he had incontrovertible proof that this was a servant of that lord. Who knows, maybe in his journey the servant had got caught in bad weather or maybe he had fallen ill on his errand - and that was why he looked so bad. His appearance did not change the fact that this was a servant of the Lord nor did it alter Francis' obligation to treat him with respect, courtesy and consideration. Finally Francis knew that if this was a servant of a noble Lord he would have made every effort to help that servant accomplish his errand, no matter the cost in time, effort or money - for it was that noble Lord's good business that needed to be accomplished!
Well . . . wasn't EVERY man a servant of the great King in heaven!? It didn't matter (so God argued within Francis' heart) that the beggar was dressed in rags and filthy from exposure to the elements. He remained both a servant to the King of kings as well as a child of the living God. Shouldn't Francis respect him (even honor him!), if for no other reasons, than for those?
Yet, Francis had rebuffed his request and ignored him! Realizing his great mistake in acting in a way that was shameful and disrespectful to the Lord Jesus's servant, Francis frantically turned around and looked anxiously for the beggar until he caught sight of him. With a quick and determined step he marched up to that beggar and pulled out his bag of money. The beggar looked at him expectantly, stretching out his hand to recieve the alms. Francis, gently and deliberately, placed the bag in his hand, giving him a friendly and joyful smile as he did. And, without further ado, he turned on his heel and resumed his journey, a changed (and joyful) man!
Do you see beggars as being sent by God on the very errand they are executing as His servants - begging for help from you? Do you respond by looking or walking away, ignoring both the person as well as their request? Do you reject them because of their appearance - like Francis initially did - or do you look with the eyes of faith to realize that they are God's messenger to you - that God is giving you an opportunity to show your love for Him by being concerned and helping this 'servant' and child of God?
A good friend told me about an encounter he had recently with a beggar: "I was walking into a store and saw a young man standing not far from the entrance - looking at people as they walked in and out. I had a feeling he was going to beg because he looked something like a street person. Sure enough, later, as I was walking out of the store, he asked me for 'spare change'. I tried to smile at him warmly and in a friendly voice said, "Sure I do!" He thanked me, remembered me (though I didn't remember him!) and remarked that I had been generous in the past. Looking at his hand he said, "You gave me this same amount last time!" Then, a bit to my surprise, he stepped up and said, "Thank you so much! God bless you!" and . . . gave me a hug! I was a bit surprised but returned the hug. I cannot explain how joyful the experience left me!" He told me that he felt the blessing he received from God was worth a lot more than the few dollars he had given, echoing what Christ said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." My friend gave a little money but received the love and embrace of Christ in return! Alleluia!
Since there are few beggars around these days it is actually rare to be confronted by one. Therefore, you might wonder how to apply Francis' lesson to your life. However, we know that Jesus will say to everyone on the last judgment, "When I was hungry . . . naked . . . a stranger . . . sick or imprisoned . . . you came (never came) to me and helped me." He also said, "When you did (did not) do this to the least of my children, you've (have not) done it for me". So we see that a beggar is not just one who begs but one who has an apparent need for food, clothes and shelter. Or he is a 'stranger' that needs to be welcomed or someone who is sick or locked up in jail needing a friendly visit. They can 'beg' without saying a word.
YOU are surrounded by people - friends and family, co-workers as well as strangers - who need to see and feel God's love - from YOU. You might not realize that it is Jesus and His needs that you are ignoring. If we continue to ignore Him we can be sure that one day we will hear from Christ these terrible words, "I never knew you! Depart from me you evil people!" If you don't want to know Christ in His need then, on the day of judgment (in YOUR need!), He will not know you! Why should He be welcoming to you when you rejected Him?!
Let us love Him like He loved us and show it, everyday, by taking every opportunity He presents us to help and love those in need. Those who give a blessing, earn a blessing. "Those who are merciful, will have mercy shown to them." Those who ignore Christ will be ignored by him and those who deny Christ by failing to meet His need will be denied, by Him, of the blessings of heaven. Let us experience the joys of love, the blessings of giving and caring. Let us seek to meet Christ everywhere and in every person and every experience. He is there . . . if you just open your eyes in faith. If you do you will see God's wonders . . . like Francis did! Wouldn't that be wonderful to be able to see God's wonders always?!
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