Francis and Brother Leper
As Francis grew with the light of Jesus, so did his disciples. His first followers were Leone, Bernardo, Juniper, and Massio. As Francis and his brothers wandered in prayer, Francis heard another voice. “Francis, do you love me?” “Yes Father!” Francis replied. Then go embrace your brother the leper. Growing up in the times when lepers were many, Francis’ first instinct was disgust and repulsiveness. But Francis loved God with all his heart. He closed his mind and took the major leap. He embraced the leper and kissed him. Francis turned to his Brothers Minor radiating his ultimate joy to them. As he turned back to embrace the leper, he was no longer standing beside Francis. Was the leper possibly Jesus coming to test Francis? Oh how he must have wept.