Attitude of Receiving

At another time, when the Father was at St. Mary of the Porziuncula, a certain very spiritual poor man was coming through the street returning from Assisi with alms and when along praising God in a loud voice with much joyfulness.  But when he drew near the church of Mary, Francis heard him and immediately with great fervor and joy went out to him, running up to him in the path, and with great joyfulness, he kissed the shoulder where he carried the scrip with alms.  And he took the wallet from his shoulder and put it on his own shoulder and thus brought it into the house of the friars, and in their presence said, “Thus I would that a brother of mine should go and return with alms, glad and joyful and praising God.”

                        -Mirror of Perfection Section II, Chapter 25

With great welcome and joy should we bring the needy into our house, ready to both give and to receive whatever is offered.