Blessing of the Animals Sunday
By Rev. Nancy E. Stillman
September 30, 2007
Lessons: Genesis 1:1-2:2
From the very beginning, the destinies of humans and animals have been intertwined.
The first thing that God told humans, was NOT, "You shall worship me or I will smite you!" or "You shall build a church on every town green in New England" or even "Every Autumn you will have a pledge drive to raise funds for good works in my name."
No, according to Genesis, we are to have care of the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth. We are to be stewards, protectors, nurturers of the animals - and enjoy their company with wonder.
Meister Eckhart, the 13th Century Dominican Monk shines a light on how we see animals in our lives:
"Apprehend God in all things.
For God is in all things.
Every single creature is full of God
and is a book about God.
Every creature is a word of God.
If I spent enough time with the tiniest creature -
even a caterpillar -
I would never have to prepare a sermon.
So full of God is every creature."
As we live our lives with animals - both those with whom we share our homes and those whose wildness we marvel at - we are given the opportunity to experience the very presence of God. Animals offer us a blue print of God, a continual reflection or mirror of God. Sometimes the metaphors seem trite, but that is only because they are so true and universally experienced
When we come home after a long time away, or maybe just a short errand, our pets meet us at the door, or call out from their birdcages to welcome us home. I'm not sure about your experiences, but my dog Lucy greets me enthusiastically whether I am coming home from a weekend away, or just coming in from getting something out of the car. Isn't that like God - who welcomes us home again and again, no matter how many times we've left, or how long we've been gone?
When we are feeling lonely, and alone, when we struggle with illness and depression and addiction, having our cat purr in our lap, or our dog rest her head on our knee makes us feel accepted and noticed and loved. My dear friend Elizabeth had a remarkable experience when she was going through treatment for breast cancer years ago. When she came home after chemo or radiation treatments, one of her cats would hop right up in her lap and rest his paws on her chest. And there he'd stay, sometimes for and hour or longer, offering his healing touch. Isn't that like God - who meets us where we are, when we are struggling, or afraid, or feel broken. And God reminds us that we are never alone, that we are always in God's everpresent embrace.
When our experiences in the world try to tell us that we are less than worthy, less than human, less than whole; that because we are of a certain physical ability, or sexual orientation, or race or gender we are unlovable and do not deserve to fully participate in the public life, then the unconditional love that our animals offer us make us feel loved and accepted. And isn't that like God - who wants for us to know that each of us is a beloved Child of God - and that we all belong and are welcome.
A hamster doesn't care how much money you make, or what kind of clothes you wear, or how big your house is. A ferret doesn't care what your grades are, or whether you made the varsity soccer team. A goldfish doesn't care if you feel like a failure in everything you do - just be sure you put some food in the bowl :) Animals are God's agents of love and hope and acceptance in this world. And hopefully we are the same for them.
I will leave you with one more poem from Meister Eckhart:
"If I were alone in a desert
and feeling afraid,
I would want a child to be with me.
For then my fear would disappear
and I would be made strong.
This is what life in itself can do
because it is so noble, so full of pleasure
and so powerful.
But if I could not have a child with me
I would like to have at least a living animal
at my side to comfort me.
Therefore,
let those who bring about wonderful things
in their big, dark books
take an animal
to help them.
The life within the animal
will give them strength in turn.
For equality
gives strength, in all things
and at all times."
Amen.
