What a joy it was to be with all those furry and scaly and prickly creatures at our Animal Blessing service this weekend. And people too, of course!
I love watching people interact with other animals. I'll never forget the day a friend of mine came over with her baby daughter. I wondered how this little girl would react to my cat, Pippin, but her mom assured me she knew about cats and found them very interesting! Pippin saw her first, because she was in one of those sporty strollers with kind of steep canvas sides to it. I saw him looking curious, still relaxed, not quite sure what to make of this little creature.
Then she caught a glimpse of him, and her face changed in a flash. Her eyes got big and alert, her mouth dropped open. She leaned forward against the seat belt and stretched out her hand. Pippin froze and just looked at her. Their eyes met.
And if you've ever seen that kind of electric exchange, you might wonder how anyone could have ever doubted that animals have spirits just the same as we do.
In that spirit, I'd like to offer you one of my favorite readings, by the medieval German theologian Meister Eckhart. I have this one pinned up in my office so I can try to remember it every day. (And, by the way, I would just let the God language go if it doesn't speak to you. The creatures speak loud enough in their own way.)
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.
Well, we probably won't stop preparing sermons around here ... but on behalf of the entire ministry team, blessings to all the creatures, four-footed and two-footed and footless and all the rest. We are grateful for your presence and your beauty.
Warmly,
Laura
