The Christian tradition of the Blessing of the Animals by churches is associated with St. Francis of Assisi, always pictured surrounded by creatures. St. Francis considered and called animals his brothers and sisters. He was known to have preached to the birds, blessed fish he caught and let them go. St. Francis treated all sentient things with kindness, much like Buddhist teaching. St Francis is credited with the first environmental consciousness raising movement, seeing God’s spirit alive in all living creatures.

It all began about 800 years ago in 1210-15. St. Francis promoted the idea that humans and all creatures were in the same relationship with God, and so deserved respect, care and gratitude. Among today’s Christians the blessing of the animals usually happens early in October around the Feast day of St. Francis which is October 4^th.

Judaism also practices blessing of the animals toward the end of October around Shabbat Noach, the 28th and 29^th, celebrating God’s promise to Noah and the creatures, never again to destroy creation. The Jews also blessed animals in the Spring on the 7^th day of Passover, symbolic of the fact that not only humans but all their animals were released from slavery in Egypt.

The whole idea of the blessing of animals is to show gratitude to and for animals…for all they do and provide for us. It is also to recognize that they are gifts from God to help make our lives better and to provide for our needs. The blessing also reminds humans to take care of their animals like they look after themselves, with the same amount of care and concern. Animals bless our lives each day. On this special day of the blessing of the animals, we can return a little to God’s creatures who have given us so much and asked so little in return.

In the creation story of Genesis chapter one, God creates sea creatures and birds on the fifth day of the first week. On the sixth day, it is land animals and all other creatures. Scripture tells us that animals preceded the creation of humans. God created a special place for all the creatures. One has only to study the creativity in the creation of each animal species to recognize the perfect hand of God…in the sheer variety and beauty, even in the complex evolution of species. Life energy that is eternal, eternally self-creating, self promulgating, yet creative in its adaptability and complexity. Genesis chapter two gives us the reason that animals were created by God…so that the human Adam would not be alone and to help him. They actually were created before Eve as companions for Adam. God also gave the first human the privilege of naming all the animals and creatures.

The serpent spoke to Eve in Genesis chapter three, and she did not think it was unusual. It seems she was familiar with animals speaking, because she responded, and freely talked to the serpent. As good companions, it seems highly plausible that all the animals were able to communicate with Adam and Eve in the first garden. Only after being expelled from the garden, was the communication link broken, after Adam and Eve crossed the boundaries set by God for their protection.  Relationship with the animals also changed after their relationship changed with God. Death entered the human and animal world for the very first time. The first death was a fur-bearing animal killed to clothe the humans. Another consequence of death…humans and animals became carnivores. However, everything in the Garden of Eden originally was created to live forever. So we have to wonder about the eternal possibilities of animals.

In the Old Testament, Numbers 22:22-35 records the story of the prophet Balaam’s donkey that spoke to him. In fact, the donkey was able to see the angel standing before them, and tried to avoid it. Balaam could not see the angel and punished the donkey for turning off the road. Balaam and the donkey have a conversation. The angel reprimands Balaam for having struck his donkey. The animal could see the supernatural where the prophet could not. One has to wonder about the spirituality of animals.

In the vision of Revelation chapter six there are horses described in heaven.  In Revelations 5:11 there are “living creatures”  surrounding the throne of God, along with angels and elders. The Greek word “ktisma” for creatures in 5:13 suggests an original formation or created thing. Could these also include the animals which were part of God’s original creation? It also states that every creature on earth, under the earth and in the sea was singing, suggesting that language is restored in eternity to all God’s creatures. In Revelation 19:11 Jesus is astride a white horse, along with the armies of heaven following on horses. If there are horses in heaven, why not other animals?

“DEADLIEST SHOOTING IN THE UNITED STATES”. I fear the more we hear these words the less they will mean to us. The more we view violence the less it seems to affect us, studies show. There is a danger in not reacting to those words. There ought to be an immediate call for action, before even the ability to react is desensitized out of us.

America’s gun laws seem to be all about what just a few want…their right to pack pistols. Gentlemen and women choose your weapons…but pistols at twenty paces, it is no longer. Why does any individual want or need semi-automatic weapons, and now attachments to make these quicker killing machines? Outside of war, does any human being need such fire power? When we bring the weapons of war into everyday society…where then is peace? Why are we so seduced by weapons of destruction? What does this say about how far we have drifted from human feeling, interaction and relationship?

What is our understanding of democracy today? Inherent in democracy is our responsibility to protect the vulnerable, so all share equal rights. Against automatic weapons we are all equally vulnerable. Part of democracy is the care of one another. Where did we forego this basic human responsibility? As far back as the beginning of time it seems, Adam and Eve’s son Cain had this ability to shirk responsibility for the other. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” Was Cain’s response to God’s question, “Where is your brother?” Spoken just after he murdered his brother Abel (Genesis chapter 4).

Democracy does not abdicate us from all human responsibility to the other. Where did we pick up the idea of freedoms without responsibilities and consequences? When did freedom and sacrifice get separated? They go hand in hand as any war veteran will affirm. Freedom costs dearly. Our freedom to bear arms is costing innocents their lives. Is it worth it? Would I not feel more powerful to know that my sacrifice has bought protection for fellow citizens? But caring for the other seems to have left our consciousness. It seems the idea of ‘me’ and ‘mine’ supercedes collective responsibility. The rights of the few over the right for safety of the many…is this a democracy?

How can we be proactive to prevent future incidents versus just cleaning up afterward and making excuses? I once heard America described as a young country, going through its teenage years. Isn’t this a typically immature, teenage kind of attitude…what I want is above anyone else’s needs or desires. Self-interest, self-preoccupation is the ‘theology’ of our times, perfectly typified by the ‘selfie.’ The new narcissistic philosophy: What I want supercedes anything you might want or need. Therefore my need justifies my actions and exonerates me from any consequence or responsibility, because my only

higher power is myself. Therefore I am without blame…guiltless, innocent. You are to blame for trying to limit my right to please myself.

At which point do we step up as a society and demand that it is time to grow up. Man-up…woman-up…mature-up and be willing to sacrifice some of our rights for the greater good and safety of all.

Am I my brother’s or sister’s keeper?