Judging the Poor

When Francis had gone to preach at a certain dwelling of the friars near Rocca Brizzi, it happened that on that day on which he should preach a certain poor and infirm man came to him.  Francis had much compassion on him, so he began to speak to his friend of the man’s poverty and sickness and his friend said to him, “Brother, it is true that he seems poor enough; but it may be that in the whole province there is no one who wishes more to be rich than he.”  Francis immediately reproved the monk, and he confessed his fault.  Blessed Francis said, “Will you do the penance that I ask you to do?”  He answered, “Willingly, I will.”  Francis said to him, “Then go and take off your tunic and throw yourself naked at the poor man’s feet, and tell him how you have sinned against him in speaking evil and ask him to pray for you.”  The friar went and did all the things which blessed Francis had told him.  When he had done it, he arose and put on his tunic and returned to Francis.  And Francis said to him, “Would you like to know how you have sinned against him—and Christ, as well?  When you see a poor man, you should consider Him in whose name he comes, namely, Christ, who took our poverty and infirmity on Him.  For the infirmity and poverty of this man is as a mirror to us, on which we may see and consider with compassion the sickness and poverty of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

                        -Section III, Chapter 37

Poor people aren’t perfect.  They have a lot of errors, as do we all.  However, it is easy to look at the faults of the poor and to use that as an excuse to neglect generosity, mercy and humility.  If we use the faults of others to neglect our own Christlikeness, it is our own responsibility and we must repent. 

To see Christ in the poor is not to be ignorant of other’s sins or weaknesses.  Rather, it is to see Jesus in them despite their sin and weakness.  It is to provide for Jesus’ people despite the difficulties.  In fact, love sees other’s weaknesses and gives in a way to meet their need, not to encourage sin.  To see Christ is the poor means that we will never, ever, neglect them, for they are our brothers and sisters.