St. Francis Day (transferred)

Service of the Blessing of the Animals

October 2, 2005 @ 5 pm

 

ST. FRANCIS DAY SERMON

 

If Noah had been in charge of FEMA, the evacuation of New Orleans would have been handled very differently.

There would have been advance planning adequate to the challenge, the plan would have been implemented effectively, the boats would have shown up in time -- and the animals would have been remembered.

Of course, that’s because Noah was taking instructions from God.  And part of Noah’s instructions from God, the part we’re celebrating today, was this: “Noah, homo sapiens is not the only species on the planet, it is not the only species worth saving, and it is not the only species for which human beings are personally responsible to the Creator and Owner of all species.”  Those principles are still true.

Jesus, in this selection from “The Sermon on the Mount,” bids Christians not to obsess about material things the way non-believers do by holding up as examples the rest of God’s creation!  There are beautiful flowers which don’t do a thing to create their beauty except to follow the instructions which God put in their DNA.  There are the birds of the air, for which God provides food.  We are reminded that this planet is a place of abundance as created by God.  As Mahatma Gandhi said, “There is enough for every man’s need, but not enough for every man’s greed.”    So, it’s a matter of sharing, and that’s up to us.

Animals also remind us to take joy in the simple essentials of life.  I’m a relatively new pet owner – Elda and I adopted Bart in January, 2004 from the Newark Humane Society shelter – and when Bart enthusiastically attacks his dinner, enthusiastically goes on a walk, or enthusiastically just “:hangs out” with us, he reminds me that food, recreation and companionship are essentials that don’t have to be complicated or expensive.  Enjoy life! 

St. Francis, who we celebrate today, knew that.  St. Francis turned down the chance to inherit wealth and to pursue military glory to embrace poverty and peace in a life of radical obedience to Jesus Christ.  He embraced God’s Creation, not as “things” to be “conquered,” but as “brother sun,” “sister moon,” “sister water,” “mother earth,” to be praised and cherished.  Francis emphasized living a life of obedience to God in all that we do, not just in words.  “Preach the Gospel always,” he said: “if necessary, use words.”

Let us cherish and care for all of God’s Creation, especially the species represented here today, with thoughtful and effective planning, expert implementation, and joyful, spontaneous companionship and delight!

Let us pray.  In the words of St. Francis, “Most High, omnipotent, good Lord, to thee be ceaseless praise outpoured, and blessing without measure.  Let creatures all give thanks to thee, and serve in great humility.”  Amen !

(The Rev.) Francis A. Hubbard

St. Barnabas Episcopal Church

Monmouth Junction, New Jersey