Ample Mercy

Ample Mercy

The second virtue, ample mercy, is when goods, both temporal and spiritual given to you by God, are given out and distributed to the needy.  This is how one becomes a sheep of Christ.  Reason:  Because among all the animals a sheep is the most beneficial of animals.  For the sheep by growing wool, shows us mercy and benefits of mercy, because how many poor people does a sheep clothe?  For none of us would have been clothed in wool unless the sheep had given it to us.  Also it gives us milk, and lambs to eat, etc.  Therefore if you wish to be likened to it, you shall be the sheep of Christ, by giving wool, i.e. external and temporal goods, bread and wine, money and clothes and the like.  If you have poor in your town or village, give them this "wool."  Second, by giving "milk," that is, interior and spiritual goods, by giving good teaching to the ignorant, as I am giving to you now.  If you have the milk of knowledge, of devotion, or of eloquence, you should give to those not having them.  Remember the story of the gospel, for he says, "For I was hungry, and you gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me to drink; ...Naked, and you covered me," (Mt 25:35-36).  Note also in the legend of St. Martin we read that once, on the road, wondering at a sheared sheep, the disciples questioned, "Father, why are you amazed?"  Replying, he said: "This sheep fulfilled the precept of the gospel which says, 'He that hath two coats, let him give to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do in like manner,'" (Lk 3:11).

By St. Vincent Ferrer O.P.
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