"Who among you would say to your servant who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, 'Come here immediately and take your place at table'? Would he not rather say to him, 'Prepare something for me to eat. Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink. You may eat and drink when I am finished'? Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded? So should it be with you. When you have done all you have been commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.'" (Luke 17:5-10)
Speaking of sheep and dogs waiting under tables while we eat and drink, our Gospel reminds us (sort of) about today’s blessing of animals at Christ the King. We owe this blessing to St. Francis of Assisi who was born in the 12th century, lived in Italy, and founded the men’s Order of Friars Minor, the women’s Order of St. Clare, and the Third Order of Saint Francis for men and women not able to live the lives of itinerant preachers. Francis is one of the most venerated religious figures in history. He is remembered for his generosity to the poor, his willingness to minister to the lepers, and for his love for animals and nature. He is the Catholic Church’s patron saint of animals and the environment.
It can be said that animals increase our faith by having us focus on the love we get from and give to animals, especially our venerable pooches (sorry cat lovers). They uproot our loneliness and plant us more firmly on the ground by virtue of our attention being shifted from ourselves to them. They remind us to love and be charitable.
Franciscan Pet Blessing:
Blessed are you, Lord God,
maker of all living creatures.
You inspired St. Francis to call all
animals his brothers and sisters.
We ask you to bless our pets. By
the power of your love, enable
our pets to live according to your plan.
Amen.
Deacon David Pierce
Comments
Post a Comment
Please THINK before you write!