It is said that when Francis was a young man, before his transformation, he would wander the countryside. In those days the disease of leprosy was not uncommon.

Given their grotesque appearance and the odious stench that accompanied their deteriorating skin, lepers were usually banished to the countryside. Their only real source of income came through begging. People would toss something to them from a distance and then run off.

It turns out that young Francis had lepro-phobia. Whenever he saw a leper he would go berserk with fear or anger. He hated the sight and stench of lepers. He couldn ¢â‚¬â„¢t bear the thought of being near a leper, let alone actually touching one. Most of all he feared the possibility of contracting leprosy and becoming that which he detested.

One day as Francis was travelling out in the country, a group of lepers appeared. Francis shivered with fear and turned away. But one of the lepers walked toward him, calling out for mercy and compassion. The leper came close enough for Francis to see him. Francis glanced at him fearfully, and was astonished at what he saw. He saw not the face of the leper, but the face of Christ.

Francis was completely filled with love and compassion. He lost it. He couldn ¢â‚¬â„¢t help himself. He rushed to the leper and embraced him even kissing him on the mouth. In that instant, Francis became intoxicated with Divine love. And once filled with the divine nectar of bliss, there was no one and nothing left to fear.

We all have moments of seeing beyond this veil of tears. We have moments in which everything appears beautiful, elegant, and perfect. We have glimpses of the mystery that supports all of life. All will be well every manner of things will be well. Or better yet, everything is already well, if only we have the eyes to see.

From Robert V Thompson The Voluptuous God (about page 65)