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What Gospel passage inspired St. Francis of Assisi to begin preaching?

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Bonaventura Berlinghieri: St. Francis and Scenes from His Life — St. Francis of Assisi *St. Francis and Scenes from His Life*, tempera on panel by Bonaventura Berlinghieri, 1235; in the Church of San Francesco, Pescia, Italy.

St. Francis of Assisi was inspired to begin preaching after hearing a reading from the Gospel According to Matthew (10:7, 9–11) during mass on February 24, 1208, at the chapel of Santa Maria degli Angeli.1

The passage, which details the mission of Christ to the Apostles, states:

"And as you go, preach the message, ‘The kingdom is at hand!’…Take no gold, nor silver, nor money in your belts, no bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor a staff; for the laborer deserves his food. And whatever town or villa you enter, find out who is worthy in it, and stay with him until you depart."1

Upon hearing these words, Francis declared that this was exactly what he sought to do. He immediately discarded his shoes, staff, and extra clothing, donned a rough tunic, and began his life as an itinerant preacher of repentance.1