Day 28. Admonition 24 & 25

Of True Love. 24 Blessed is that person who would love their fellow human as much as when they are ill and not able to assist, as they would love their fellow humans when they are well, and are able to assist. 25 Blessed is the person who would love and fear their fellow human, as much when they are from them, as they would when they are with him.  Who would not say anything about them, behind their backs that could not, with charity, be said in their presence Ooo000oooO The Admonition set for today’s Meditation is really two. Admonition 24 is titled “Of True Love” and the following one reads, more a less “to the same purpose or likewise. Both deal with emotions, behaviours far and near, As per usual. Francis deals with a situation that seems close to his heart, the way that fellow religious, are to behave lovingly toward each other.  I have mentioned before that Francis’ Admonitions are ‘relational’, social; none of them would apply to a hermit in a cave. They are meant for us, that wherever we are we hold our fellow humans in the highest esteem, as much as when we are apart as together. 1. Loving another no matter what happens, irrespectively of what they can do for us. Simply loving. 2. Having great respect for someone irrespective of whether you are together or apart. 3. Not talking behind each other’s backs. If it cannot be said to their face then it ought not to be said at all. It all seems like good manners to me, something that shouldn’t need spelling out. How often, though, do we catch ourselves out in the occasional; uncharitable word or three? Perhaps resenting someone because they cannot help out today and all smiles when they can. Taking the mickey out of someone when they are not there to disagree, polite before their eyes and all insolence behind their backs.