COLLOQUY XX.
The Afflicted and Tempted are to be Consoled, and that it is a great Benefit for the Saints to be Tried by Temptation
God permitted that Brother Roger, one of the disciples of the holy Father, should, for the increase of his merit, be frequently tormented by many and grievous temptations, so that sometimes he was in danger of falling into despair. Once, when these temptations were more violent and obstinate than usual, he said to himself : ‘I will arise and go to my Father, and if he receive me kindly and affectionately, I shall know that God will yet have mercy upon me; if not, I shall be convinced that I am totally abandoned.’ Having thus resolved, he left Ancona for Assisi, where the holy Father was staying in the Bishop’s palace, having been attacked by a great and mortal sickness. But the loving Father knew by inspiration the trouble of his child, and the cause of his journey ; he therefore sent two of his companions, Brothers Masseo and Leo, to meet him, and welcome him warmly. ‘ Go,’ he said, ‘to meet Brother Roger, who is coming here to see me. Embrace him for me, and lovingly kiss and salute him, telling him on my part that I love him with all my heart, and more than all the Brothers that are in the world.’ The two Friars obediently fulfilled this command, and the sinking soul of Brother Roger was at once strengthened in faith, and his whole soul replenished with exceeding joy. He thanked God for giving him this prosperous journey to the place where his suffering Father lay. When he arrived, St. Francis, animated by the fervour of his charity more than by any natural strength, rose to meet him, and throwing himself on his neck, exclaimed with paternal affection: ‘My beloved Brother Roger, amongst all the Brethren in the world, thou art the dearest to me ;’ and making the sign of the Cross on his forehead, he kissed the place, saying : ‘Beloved son, this temptation has been sent thee for thy greater profit. But if thou dost not wish to have this merit any longer, may no afiliction or temptation henceforth assail thee.’ Wonderful to relate, the temptation immediately vanished, and the Brother never suffered any trouble from that time.