St.

Francis of Assisi
The Blessing of Children and
Pets

The Blessing of Children and Animals

1. On the 1st Sunday of October, traditionally, we commemorate St. Francis of Assisi and bless our
pets. This year we decided to bless both children and pets. Why do we do that? Because
children are the future of the human race, and pets represent all of creation.
We read from Genesis.. Genesis was composed nearly 3,000 years ago, in pre-scientific times, and according
to Jewish culture, it uses stories to teach lessons. Genesis is a book of theology, not a book of science: it tells
us about God
a. The first lesson we learn from Genesis is that the universe, or using a biblical word creation comes from the
will of God. Today scientists tell us that the universe started with the big bang, and evolution I have no
problem accepting scientific explanations, provided we remember that what started the ball rolling with the
bid bang was the will of God.
.According to Genesis, after God created the animals, God looked at his work, saw that it was good, and he
blessed the animals. So, by blessing them today we are reenacting part of the creation story.
.Then God created humans in the image of himself and, once again, blessed them and said to them, be fruitful
and multiply
b. The second lesson is that the world created by God is good and God blessed all the living creatures. Genesis
tells us that God was pleased with all creatures, and blessed them.
c. Then, I am afraid that God made a mistake and gave humans mastery over all living things be master of
the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and all living animals on the earth

2. What does it mean to be the master?

A. Some Businesses and politicians see mastery as the authorization to exploit the environment:
. Oil companies think that they are master of the ocean wherever oil can be found, they drill, cut corners, to
reduce costs and maximize profits, skipping safeguards, and then we have oil spills that pollutes the ocean
and kills all life
. Others act as masters of the land and of the air: some pump poisonous chemicals into the ground to facilitate
fracking, and pollute the groundwater for everyone else. Car companies cheat on emission controls and
pollute the air that we breath. Politicians tell us that It is the price we must pay for progress.
. Meat packing companies cage animals in horrible conditions, inject them with antibiotics and hormones to
make them grow faster. Then those antibiotics and hormones show up in our food supply and endanger the
health of our children.

The Blessing of Children and Animals

Please remember that, after the story of creation, the next stories in Genesis are the Garden of Eden and
Cain and Abel. The lesson from them is that evil entered into the world through humans who chose to
disregard the will of God and to do what was convenient or profitable for them.

B. The true Biblical meaning of mastery is stewardship. To be a steward means to use but also
to look after, to care of, and to take responsibility for something.
Humans were the only creatures made in the image of God. To be stewards of creation means to continue
Gods work, and not to abuse or exploit other creatures

3. Today we are celebrating the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. A man who lived in central Italy
about 8 centuries ago. Francis stands as an examples of stewardship for creation against
corporate greed. Many of his deeds are legendary: his ability to speak with birds and tame
wolves.
. However, all legends aside, Francis understood Gods message in the story of creation, and saw all
creatures as his brothers and sisters, not as resources to be exploited for profit
. Creation and creatures are ancient words. What is the modern word for creation and creatures? Its the
environment.
. Taking care of the environment means, like Francis, recognizing that we are Gods creatures living in the in
the midst of other creatures of God and have the responsibility protect the environment and keep it safe for
our children and their children.

4. So, whats the take home message from the feast of St. Francis and of the blessing of the
animals? Francis devoted his life to the care of the poor and even of the anim als
A. As believers, all humans are all called to be stewards of creation, and so, the protection of the environment
is everyone's responsibility. The environment is the air we breath, the water and food we eat. So, do what
you can, get involved in activities to clean up and preserve the environment, volunteer, vote.
B. By protecting the environment we bless our childrens health and preserve the resources for their future
C. Finally, I want to talk about our pets. We rescued our dog from the Ocean County Animal Shelter, and she is
now a member of our family. Animal shelters are full of poor animals who have been abandoned by people.
If you can, visit a shelter and give a good home to an animal. You and I may not be able to make a great
deal of difference in the preservation of the universe. But we can make all the difference in the world in the
life of one animal. In return they bring love, joy and laughter into our lives.