My dad would occasionally remind me of the following wisdom: “Everyone you meet is your better because you can learn something from them.” They were words meant to remind you to keep your own accomplishments in perspective; celebrant them in the moment, build upon them, and learn from them – but do not set up camp and remain there. I suspect St. Francis would have liked my dad’s wisdom – he certainty understood its implications for the spiritual life. God accomplished so much through St. Francis – and Francis knew it was God’s doing and little of his own. Francis remained open to the working of God in his life and discerning the Spirit of the Lord.

Admonition Twelve: Knowing the Spirit of the Lord

¹ A Servant of God can be known to have the Spirit of the Lord in this way; ² if, when he Lord performs some good through him, his flesh does not therefore exalt itself, because it is always opposed to every good. ³ Instead he regards himself the more worthless and esteems himself less than all others.