ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHING
October 1, 2021
On Saturday, we are hosting a Blessing of the Animals. Though we had to take a year off because of COVID, we are back… and with many wonderful activities. We are hoping for good weather. The Blessing of the Animals usually is scheduled in early October, as close to the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi. He was one of the great voices of the faith who challenged humans to see their shared destiny on this planet with all creatures. I just read how the Federal Government is proposing we move 22 animals and 1 plant from the endangered species list because they have sadly gone extinct. It is heart wrenching to think of a whole species no longer existing, yet there appears to be a mindset that the work of moving an animal from the endangered list to a list of the thriving is not worth it. Some people will say it is too much work. Yet St Francis challenged us with his words when he wrote, “Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” We can make a dramatic difference in our world, and we need to stop thinking in terms of it being too hard. If it is not hard, it’s probably not worth it.
Let the work of my head, heart and hands be acceptable to you, O Lord. Continue to gift me with the courage to see what others may not see, to enter into the work that so many others have deemed unworthy of their energy. Amen.
