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In the incandescent core of every saint, there is a unique, distilled understanding of their heart in relation to the Heart of God. Although somewhat limiting, to use modern lingo, we might call it their worldview—the lens through which they see, process, and encounter reality, interacting with the world and, ultimately, with the Lord.

It seems that the incandescent core of St. Francis was his encounter with Divine Love and the identification with Our Lord that grew from it. Francis knew himself to be loved by God; he knew that God so loved him that He gave His only Son that he might not perish but might have eternal life (see Jn 3:16). His encounter with the self-emptying love of God changed everything for him. It became a path to follow and a lens through which to love his brothers, sisters, and all of creation. To follow the Lord, share in His sufferings, be wholly conformed to Him, and be the herald of such a King—cost what it may—was perfect joy.

Divine Love became a fire within Francis that gave purpose to all that he did and all that he was. This fire continues to give light and warmth to the world 800 years later. May the incandescent core of St. Francis inspire us to allow the fiery and sweet strength of God’s love to burn within us as well.

“I beseech you, O Lord, that the fiery and sweet strength of your love may absorb my soul from all things that are under heaven, that I may die for love of your love as you deigned to die for love of my love.”

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