“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine fin the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?” (Lk 15:4-6)
Jesus is the good shepherd who is genuinely compassionate of us. He would go through great lengths, even leaving behind the rest of ninety-nine, to find the one sheep that was lost. Throughout Jesus’ ministries, we witnessed to a good shepherd who possesses a heart for the poor and marginalized. He was among prostitutes, tax collectors, lepers, fishermen, marginalized women and children. He restored their dignity.
We have a shepherd much like Jesus: Pope Francis. We hear him visiting the prisoners. He embraced and kissed persons with leprosy. He washed the feet of two Muslim women. He visited the victims of natural disasters and condoled them who lost their loved ones and homes.
The greatness of Pope Francis is in the small things. For example, the ability to say, “Brothers and sisters, good evening.” To wear an iron cross of instead of a golden one. To wash the feet of the prisoners.
There is a particular story of Pope Francis that reflected his nature of caring. Or yet, to care for the Swiss Guard who guards the door of his apartment in Casa Santa Marta every night until dawn.
One day in 2013, at dawn, the time the Pope wakes up, he came out to the corridor, and he found in front of his door the sentry, a Swiss Guard standing with his halberd at attention.
He asked him: “What are you doing here? Have you been up all night?” "On your feet?" "Yes," replied the guard with deference and a bit surprised. "Your Holiness, my duty since I took over from my companion."
"And aren’t you tired?"
"It’s my duty Your Holiness; I should watch for your safety."
Pope Francis looked at him again with kindness, went back to his suite and after a minute he came out carrying a chair: "At least sit down and rest."
The guard rolled his eyes and answered: “Santo Padre, forgive me, but I cannot! The regulations do not allow that."
"The regulations?"
"Orders from my captain, Your Holiness."
The Pope smiled, "Oh, really? Well, I'm the Pope and I order you to sit down."
So, caught between the regulations and the Pope, the Swiss Guard (so much for the halberd) chose the chair.
The Pope returned to his apartment.
After a couple of minutes, the Pope came back to the Swiss Guard, still obediently seated on the chair, carrying Italian bread with jam which he had prepared. Before the soldier could say anything, the Holy Father, exhibiting his Argentinean smile, told the Swiss Guard, “With all the hours spent standing on guard you must be a bit hungry.” The Swiss Guard had no time to object because the Pope right away wished him a good bite: "Bon appetit, brother."
Stories like this the Pope shows his being Christ-like even in small instances like this. Christ then becomes more present in our midst.
If we profess to be truly Catholic and to be Christ-like as Pope Francis model, it may be worth examining:
Do I have a heart for the poor and marginalized?
Do I know who are the poor and marginalized in our society?
Do I welcome them and bring them back to the fold or push them to the margin?
Father Bernard Dashi Tang
