A Lamb for Lady Jacoba
"Once when St. Francis was in Rome, he had with him a little lamb which he kept out of devotion to Christ, the Beloved Lamb. And when he was about to leave, he gave it to his friend, the noble Lady Jaoba dei Settesoli, to keep in her house. Afterward, the lamb, as if instructed by Francis in the things of the spirit, always accompanied Lady Jacoba to church and stayed there with her, and would not return until she did. In the morning, if the lady was late in rising, the lamb would nudge her and wake her with his bleats, urging her by his antics to get to church. Lady Jacoba, on her part, grew quite fond of the lamb who had been Francis's disciple and was now himself a master of devotion." --St. Bonaventure, Major Life, 8:7
Animals are more attuned to the unseen, unheard things around us, and because they lack pride, are more open to being led by the Spirit to do His bidding. I think this is one reason we are attracted to animals. They represent what we long to experience--a full surrender to God--to be fully dependent on Him and fully available to do His will.
"Once when St. Francis was in Rome, he had with him a little lamb which he kept out of devotion to Christ, the Beloved Lamb. And when he was about to leave, he gave it to his friend, the noble Lady Jaoba dei Settesoli, to keep in her house. Afterward, the lamb, as if instructed by Francis in the things of the spirit, always accompanied Lady Jacoba to church and stayed there with her, and would not return until she did. In the morning, if the lady was late in rising, the lamb would nudge her and wake her with his bleats, urging her by his antics to get to church. Lady Jacoba, on her part, grew quite fond of the lamb who had been Francis's disciple and was now himself a master of devotion." --St. Bonaventure, Major Life, 8:7
Loved this post. It is so very true!
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