In the liturgy of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, we are presented with a passage from Matthew in which the portrait of the true Shepherd is defined by the humble and gentle heart that sets him apart.
Jesus praises the Father for having revealed the things of Heaven to the little ones and not to the learned.
Thus, the shepherd follows in his unmistakable footsteps.
The life of Francis, the Poor One, is rich in remarkable episodes, which bear witness to the breadth of a new heart, marked by Love, attesting to his being a merciful shepherd of souls.
At the beginning of their communal life, the friars lived at Rivotorto, 3 km from the Porziuncola.
Here is what happened there one evening:
“One night, one of those little sheep, whilst the others slept, began to cry out: «I am dying, brothers, I am dying of hunger!»
The wise shepherd rose immediately and hastened to bring the necessary help to the ailing little sheep.
He ordered the table to be set, even if with simple fare […]
He himself began to eat first and invited the other friars to fulfil that duty of charity, so that the poor creature might not feel ashamed.
Having taken the food in the fear of the Lord, so that the act of charity might be complete, the Father gave his sons a long discourse on the virtue of discretion.
He prescribed that they should always offer God a sacrifice seasoned with prudence, wisely admonishing them to take account, in divine service, of their own strength […]
Then he added:
«Dearest ones, know that what I have done in eating was not done out of greed, but out of due consideration and because fraternal charity imposed it upon me.
Let charity be your example, not food, for food satisfies the appetite, but charity satisfies the spirit» (FF 608).
And again:
‘One day, whilst travelling near Siena, he came across a large flock of sheep grazing.
As was his custom, he greeted them kindly, and they, ceasing to graze, all ran together towards him, lifting their muzzles and gazing at him with their eyes raised.
They welcomed him so joyfully that the friars and shepherds were amazed, seeing the lambs and even the rams skipping around him in such a marvellous way" (FF 1147 – Major Legend).
Charity has a special scent, and all creatures recognise its fragrance.
«[…] learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your souls» (Mt 11:29b)
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus – year A (Mt 11:25–30)
