For Clare of Assisi, friendship with Christ entailed a friendship of self-giving love. Whereas Francis emphasized martyrdom (symbolized by the Good Shepherd), Clare emphasized personal transformation in union with the crucified Spouse. Unlike Francis, Clare’s letters reflect a more personal relationship with the poor Crucified. She directs Agnes to foster a deep friendship with Christ who will lead her to the fullness of her identity in God. In her first letter Clare writes, “be strengthened…out of an ardent desire for the Poor Crucified who for our sake took…the Passion of the Cross…and so reconciled us to God the Father.”
Clare calls Agnes not to a life of suffering but to a life of love; however, the path will take her through suffering following the footprints of the crucified spouse. Agnes is to embrace this God of overflowing love who comes to her in fragile flesh. She writes, “as a poor Virgin, embrace the poor Christ.” This Spouse, Clare continues, was “struck,” “scourged” and was the “lowest among humans.” Gaze on this mystery, consider it, contemplate it, so that you may come to imitate it.
—from the book Franciscan Prayer: Awakening to Oneness with God
by Ilia Delio, OSF
