“One day Francis was riding his horse near Assisi, praying enthusiastically to the Lord, when he received this response: ‘Francis, everything you loved carnally and desired to have, you must despise and hate, if you wish to know my will. Because once you begin doing this, what before seemed delightful and sweet will be unbearable and bitter; and what before made you shudder will offer you great sweetness and enormous delight.’ He was overjoyed at this and was comforted by the Lord, when he met a leper. And even though he usually shuddered at lepers, he made himself dismount, and gave him a coin, kissing his hand as he did so. After he accepted a kiss of peace from him. Francis remounted and continued on his way.”
(Three Companions 11)