In the liturgy of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we are presented with a passage from Luke in which the true Shepherd goes in search of the lost sheep, leaving the ninety-nine already safe.

Sheep can get lost in a thousand ways and in different contexts.

The life of Francis, the Poor Man, is full of unique episodes that attest to the breadth of a new heart, marked by Love, attesting to his being a merciful shepherd of souls.

At the beginning of their community life, the friars lived in Rivotorto, 3 km from the Porziuncola.

Here is what happened there one evening:

"One night, while the other sheep were sleeping, one of them began to cry out, 'I am dying, brothers, I am dying of hunger!'.

The wise shepherd got up immediately and hurried to bring the sick sheep the help it needed.

He ordered the table to be prepared, even if with simple food [...]

He himself began to eat first and invited the other friars to do the same, so that the poor creature would not be ashamed.

Taking the food with 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, admonishing them wisely to take into account their own strength in divine service [...]

Then he added:

"My dear ones, know that what I have done in eating was not done out of greed, but out of dutiful attention and because fraternal charity required it of me.

Let charity be your example, not food, for food satisfies the appetite, but charity satisfies the spirit" (FF 608).

And again:

"One day, while walking near Siena, he came upon a large flock of sheep grazing.

As was his custom, he greeted them kindly, and they stopped grazing and ran to him, raising their heads and staring at him with their eyes raised.

They welcomed him so warmly that the friars and shepherds were amazed to see the lambs and even the rams jumping around him in such a wonderful way" (FF 1147- Leggenda maggiore).

Charity has a special scent, and all sheep recognise its fragrance.

«Which man among you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it?» (Lk 15:4)

Friday of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus - year C  (Lk 15:3-7)