Dear Friends
As our national soap opera/reality show/political
theater rolls on (and disrespect for debate,
CDC and hospital rules continues---not to mention the health of others), I am glad to just focus for now on my friendly
finch friends (Lesser Goldfinch---spinus psaltria---to be exact) who
showed up today for the Feast of St. Francis! (I suspect it helped
that I filled the feeder with thistle this morning!)
Francis’ radical life and ministry was about far more
than love of animals. But to focus on that is a way to bring people together
and be reminded about all the wonders and glories of nature. And of course our pets,
past or present, bring us special joys and gifts, with unconditional love and
loyalty at the top of the list. Kathleen and I have an empty nest now, including
pets, but our backyard has creatures, including birds, who make their own nests.
Of all the several scriptures that speak of animals,
one of my favorites is this one from the Book of Job: (12:7-11)
“Even birds and animals have much they
could teach you; ask the creatures of the earth and sea for their wisdom”
A contemporary translation continues:
Put your ear to the earth—learn the basics.
Listen---the fish in the ocean will tell you their stories. Isn’t it clear that
they all know and agree that God is sovereign, that he holds all things in his hand---every
living soul, yes, every breathing creature?
And then there is the prayer attributed to Francis which begins “Lord make me an instrument of thy peace”. I think we’d all agree, that prayer is needed more than ever.
And, in the spirit of not staying silent, I would like to add one more petition for this prayer, out of love of my country: "Where there is a divider, vote for a healer."
John
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