ST.FRANCIS OF ASSISI : VAINGLORY AND HUMILITY
Blessed Francis studiously avoided vainglory, because he knew that what contributes towards advancements should be loved fervently, while that which is harmful should be totally shunned. He tried to crush vainglory in the seed not permitting what might offend the eyes of God to endure even for a moment. With like fervor, when at times his spirit was moved to vainglory, he would immediately make it known by an open confession before all. He always tried to hide the good gifts of his Lord in the secrete recesses of his heart, not wanting to let these become an object of praise for they could then be the cause of his ruin. For often when he was praised by many, he would answer with words like these “I can still have sons and daughters, do not praise me as being secure. No one should be praised whose end is yet uncertain. If ever he who has lent these things to me would wish to take back what he had given me, only the body and soul would remain, and these even the unbeliever possesses.” Such things he spoke to those who praised him. But to himself he said “If the Most High had given such great things to a robber he would have been more grateful than you, Francis.” Saint Francis always strived for perfect humility and was very dearly loved by our Lord for it.
