Under Solomon's Portico in Jerusalem, Jesus makes his denunciation to the Jews: you are not my sheep, because you do not listen to my voice.
Francis had a great concern for the sheep of his flock, wanting to walk in the footsteps of the Lord and desiring the same for them.
He had a special fondness for sheep and lambs: they reminded him of the Lamb that was immolated for our salvation.
It is touching how these meek animals listened to him, recognising his voice as a true shepherd.
In the Sources we find significant passages on this subject. The Major Legend narrates:
"At St Mary of the Portiuncula they brought the man of God a sheep as a gift, which he accepted with gratitude, because he loved the innocence and simplicity that, by its nature, the sheep shows.
The man of God admonished the sheep to praise God and not to annoy the brothers at all. The sheep, in turn, as if feeling the pity of the man of God, put his teachings into practice with great care.
When she heard the monks singing in the choir, she would also enter the church and, without the need for a teacher, would bend her knees, uttering tender bleats before the altar of the Virgin, Mother of the Lamb, as if eager to greet her.
'During the celebration of Mass, at the moment of the elevation, he would bend his bent knees, as if he wanted, that devout animal, to reproach the ungodly for their irreverence and wanted to incite the devout to reverence towards the Sacrament' (FF 1148).
Francis, a meek shepherd, was listened to and followed by all creatures, who perceived in him his unity with Christ, the Good Shepherd sent by the Father.
His intimates listened to him with great admiration, for his eloquent life spoke for him.
«My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me» (Jn 10:27)
Tuesday of the 4th wk. in Easter (Jn 10:22-30)
