Who knows how many times Francis, the Herald of the Great King, in reading the episode of the lost sheep will have dwelt on that «What do you think?» (Mt 18:12). As if to say: «Would you do it?».
Francis will certainly have asked himself this disarming question, to which his entire eloquent existence was answered «Yes, without any doubt».
For just one sheep of his flock he would certainly have left the others safe in search of the lost one.
«Let us look closely, brethren all, at the good Shepherd who, in order to save his sheep, endured the passion of the cross» (FF 155 - Admonitions).
He, who used to call Brother Leo 'God's sheep', would have faced any adversity to find it, and for this he sought martyrdom even at the Sultan of Egypt to win it for Christ.
Rich in tenderness and mercy is an episode that highlights Francis' shepherd heart.
We find in the Sources:
"Once crossing the March of Ancona, after preaching in the same city, and heading towards Osimo, in the company of Brother Paul, whom he had elected minister to all the brothers of that province, he met a shepherd in the countryside, who was grazing his flock of rams and goats.
In the midst of the flock was a single sheep, quietly and humbly grazing on the grass.
As soon as he saw it, Francis stopped, and as if he had had a grip on his heart, full of compassion he said to his brother:
«Do you see that lonely and meek sheep among the goats? Our Lord Jesus Christ, surrounded and hunted down by the Pharisees and Sanhedrists, must have looked just like that humble creature.
Therefore I beseech thee, my son, for love of Him, be thou also full of compassion, let us buy her and take her away from these goats and goatherds» (FF 456).
«What is it to you? Would you do it?» (Mt 18:12)
Clara Claris Praeclara, Little Plant
Clare of Assisi loved to describe herself as ‘the little plant of the Seraphic Father Francis’.
She was always a caring Mother and a great example to her daughters and sisters in the Monastery of St Damian.
Even when it was necessary to exhort or reprimand, she knew how to correct with the love and wisdom that came from on high.
The Sources attest (Rule of St Clare):
“The abbess shall admonish and visit her sisters and correct them with humility and charity, commanding them nothing that is contrary to their soul or to the form of our profession” (FF 2806).
And again, with a far-sighted and comprehensive vision, Clare herself continues:
“I admonish and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ all my sisters, both present and future, that they may always strive to imitate the way of holy simplicity, humility and poverty, and also the integrity of that holy life which was taught to us by our blessed Father Francis from the very beginning of our conversion to Christ” (FF 2845 – Testament).
“And loving one another in the love of Christ—that love which you have in your hearts—show it outwardly through your deeds, so that the sisters, inspired by this example, may grow ever more in the love of God and in mutual charity” (FF 2847 – Testament).
