30 September 2012
On the occasion of “Bless the Beasts” Sunday
Today we
take a break from the routine of worship in our church sanctuary to come
outside to God’s sanctuary, of which every church sanctuary is an incomplete
copy. Today the sky is our ceiling and the pines are our pillars and the maples
our stained glass. Thank God!
Remember
that we used to live a lot closer to the earth. Not you and me personally of
course, but our ancestors, many generations removed, rested each night on the
bosom of the earth itself. We used to live much closer to our fellow creatures
of the earth as well, keeping our domesticated animals close to us and keeping
the predators as far away as possible.
Living so
close together, cheek by jowl, perhaps it was clearer to us then that we are
dependent on one another. Our dogs kept
us warm and alerted us to danger, and we kept them warm and shared our
food with them. With the help of our dogs we watched our cattle and kept them
safe, led them to pasture and water, and they in turn fed us and clothed us. It
was clear to us that we were dependent on one another, that our welfare and the
animals’ welfare were intertwined.
Today we
remember and give thanks to God for our co-creatures. We remember that we were
made for each other. We remember that our welfare and our fate is intertwined.
May we always be mindful that God has made a covenant not just with us, but
with every living thing.
There is
yet more light and truth to break forth from the earth and all that dwell
therein. Jesus gives us a clue: the abundant life on this earth is not just for
food and clothing, but for beauty and delight. Our relationship with each other
is not strictly utilitarian. All living things have something to offer, even
the lilies of the field, even the cat.
The cat is
one creature you won’t see mentioned in the Bible, but we can learn from them
nevertheless. If you want to know peace, contemplate your domestic cat. Look at
her, lounging in the pool of sunlight. She know how to appreciate the moment.
Or find her in your closet, sleeping on your softest sweater, or in the linen
cupboard, graciously furring up the towels for you. That cat knows when and
where to get some alone time.
Note how the feline head is the
perfect size and shape, a match for the human hand; and how she fits in the
hollow of your lap. What other reason could God have for creating the cat, than
to be our comfort and blessing?
Thank God and give praise for all
creatures great and small! Amen.
