Blessing Animals

At that time Jesus said, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. ‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’ Matthew 11:25-30

Today we celebrated the feast of St. Francis, a day early and outside in the garden. The weather was a little cool but there was a crowd of folks, some people who came just for a blessing for their pet. We had dogs and cats and lots of stuffed animals and blessings for pets that couldn't join us. They were each named and prayed for, and given a St. Francis medal as a token of the day. It was a simple and rich service. All of us,the weary and vulnerable, all together seeking God's blessings on all of us and those we care for, including all of creation. It was a rich day full of reuniting and reconnecting, along with singing familiar and tender songs. God's blessings come in all forms, as do all of the recipients of blessing.

Today, I want to remember, as Francis did, the most vulnerable and needy among us. The ones who cannot get to a place to be blessed and those who have been wrenched, by poverty or violence, from any place of safety or blessing. May God use each of us as we are blessed, so that we might share the wealth of blessings that God has for all of creation and especially the least and vulnerable among us.