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therefore, to perform this miraculous deed which he intends to perform, he did not find in the world a more vile creature, so he chose me: because God chose those whom the world considers absurd to shame the wise; he singled out the weak of this world to shame the strong. He chose the world's lowborn and despised, those who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who were something, in order to show that the sublimity of virtue comes from God and not from a creature and so that all flesh can do no boasting before God, but let him who would boast, boast in the Lord, so that glory and honor be given for all eternity to God alone.
10 At this humble response which he gave with such fervor, Brother Masseo was amazed and he truly knew that his holy father as a true and humble disciple of Christ was founded in true humility.
Amen.
XI
SAINT FRANCIS KNEW THE SECRETS OF BROTHER MASSEO'S HEARTa
1 Saint Francis once started out on a journey with Brother Masseo. He took him for a companion very willingly because of his gift of words, outstanding discernment, and the help provided him when in rapture, satisfying the rushing crowds and hiding the saint so they would not bother him.b One day as they started out together, Brother Masseo walked a short distance ahead of Saint Francis on the road. But when they arrived at a three-way crossroads where he could head either toward Siena, Florence or Arezzo, Brother Masseo said: "Father, which way should we take?" The saint replied: "Let's take the way that God wills." Brother Masseo replied: "How will we be able to know the Lord's will?" The saint answered: "By a sign that I'll show you. So, by merit of holy obedience I command that right in the crossroads where your feet are standing, you twirl around in a circle, as children do, and don't stop twirling until I tell you."
6 As a truly obedient man Brother Masseo twirled around for so long at that stop that he fell down several times from dizziness in the head which twirling induces. But since the saint did not tell him to stop and he wished to obey faithfully, he got up each time and continued spinning around. After Brother Masseo was twirling rapidly, Saint Francis said: "Stand still. Don't move!" And he stopped suddenly. Saint Francis said: "What direction are you facing?" Brother
- There is a parallel between this chapter and ChrXXIVG 116-7.
- Ugolino builds on his earlier description of Brother Masseo as a man gifted with words and of outstanding discernment. Now he is described as providing help for Francis while he was in rapture.