COLLOQUY VI
The Poor of Christ should Prefer Living on Alms to Feasting with the Rich
St. Francis once consented to dine with the same Cardinal Ugolino, but while the tables were being prepared, he went out secretly and begged some crusts of bread in the street. When he returned and was seated at table with the Cardinal, he produced these, and divided them among the guests and attendants, as if he were presenting them with some dainty morsel, while he himself eat of them more willingly than of the richest dishes. The noble Cardinal was confused and ashamed at this conduct, but remained silent on account of his guests. But after dinner, taking the holy man aside, he gently reproved him in private, not having ventured to do so in public. ‘Why,’ said he, ‘O beloved friend, hast thou done this? Thou hast offered me a great insult by bringing these morsels of bread to the feast to which I invited thee, and covered me with shame before all present.’ The blessed Father answered him : ‘Nay, rather, my lord, I did thee a great honour, while I was honouring a still greater Lord. I must be a model and example to my Brethren, and the more so because I know for certain that in the Order there are and will be many true Friars Minor both in name and deed, who for the love of the Lord our God, and by the grace of the Holy Spirit Who will teach them, will humble themselves in all things, and serve their Brethren in all lowliness and subjection. But on the contrary, there are and will be others who, out of human respect or evil custom, will disdain to humble themselves, and will refuse to beg alms and to do such like servile works. Therefore I must teach all who shall enter this Order, so that both in this world and the next they may be without excuse before God. When, then, I am invited by you, or by any other great lord, I will never blush to go and seek alms ; but on the contrary, I consider it a true nobility, and a royal dignity and honour to imitate Him Who, although He was the Lord of all, and possessed all things in His glorious Majesty, was despised and in want of all things when He took upon Him our humanity. I desire, therefore, that all the Brethren, both present and future, should understand clearly that I feel the greatest consolation, both for soul and body, when I am seated at the table of the poor, and I rejoice much more when I see before me the poor food received in alms for the love of God, than when, either at your or others’ tables, I sit down to rich and dainty dishes, of which I eat unwillingly. The bread of alms is holy and blessed bread, sanctified by the praise and love of the Omnipotent. For when a Brother begs, he first says : ” Praised and blessed be the Lord our God !” and then he adds : ” Give me an alms for the love of God.” Thus praise sanctifies the bread, and the love of God blesses it’ When he heard these words, the Cardinal shed tears of devotion, and exclaimed : ‘My Son, do what is good in thine eyes, for I see that God is with thee, and thou art with Him.’