I must admit that it’s a lot more challenging to write sermons at home now, at least when I am trying to keep an eye on a puppy at the same time! But, there was something that felt so right, preparing the liturgy for this week, crafting the pet blessing, and writing a sermon for this “Blessing of the Animals” Sunday, while our new boy was laying at my feet enjoying his different treats and toys. Especially because, over the past few days, we have gotten to see Jerry (the dog) become less scared, more playful, and begin to trust that he is a part of the family for good now.
This process of rescuing a, what we now know to be 13-month-old puppy, reminds me of any relationship that takes time to build, but then we are blessed with getting to witness others’ true identities and personalities when they trust us enough to let us in like that. It’s a two-way street; just as we are helping our pets know that we are going to love and care for them, that they are safe with us, so too do we learn to trust the things that they are trying to tell us. It’s learning to pay attention so that we can tell when they are scared, excited, bored, overstimulated, or when they are sick or injured and need to go to the vet. My favorite example of this is the way that Jerry needs physical reassurance when he is feeling tired or nervous. In a very un-Doberman-like quality, Jerry likes to hold hands/paws when he is feeling particularly scared, i.e. he held Emily’s hand almost the entire time at the vet this week during his check-up. We don’t need to know why he likes to have his foot held or rubbed when he is feeling extra anxious, but it’s a gift that he allows us to accompany him in this way, that he trust us and feels safe enough with us that we are claimed by him in this way.
Speaking of learning their behaviors though, I had to laugh while writing this because at one point, though, because Jerry was trying to tell me that he was tired, but it was different from the ways in which I normally know he is. Because this past week, when he started to get a little bit more destructive with his toys, I knew it was time for him to have some calm down time and take a nap, even if, much like a toddler, he didn’t always seem to think that was needed. But, yesterday morning, as I was needing to get ready to leave for the LiVE retreat, I found myself sitting on the couch just a little bit longer, listening to his little snores. (Emily is thrilled that we fixed my loud breathing just in time to bring home a dog that snores now too!) Because, what started as a bit of a joke, has turned into a nighttime routine now, where, as we are winding down for that hour or so before bed, Jerry gets to lay on his bed in the living room with us, using his teddy bear as a pillow and being tucked in with a blanket.
To my surprise yesterday morning, after he had played for a while, he went over to his toy basket and took out his teddy bear, and then he started digging around the blanket basket looking for his blanket. It was different than our usual morning routine, but such a beautiful moment to witness as he showed off his smarts and his own recognition of his needs. But, it was also this quiet sacred moment, as I got to glimpse a little bit more of who he is and see his trust with us deepen. It’s safe to say I was a few minutes late for my meeting, but I also couldn’t bring myself to rush this moment.
This interconnectedness between humans and animals is one of the main areas of focus in this Blessing of the Animals Sunday because, as these chosen Scripture readings attest, the life of all creation comes from God, and all of creation is equipped to proclaim God’s praise. It doesn’t have to just look like the ways in which we humans praise God, through song and worship. The relationship between humans, animals, and the rest of creation isn’t a hierarchy, but more closely resembles the relationship between the Persons of the Trinity, an interplay between the three, all with distinct roles within the whole of creation, but all relating between one another as each understands and proclaims the mysteries and promises of God in different ways.
When we as humans talk about animals and our other siblings in creation, to borrow the words of St. Francis, we often focus solely on what benefit they have to us. Whether that be the companionship of our pets, our need for or lack of the natural resources, food sources, the hiking trails and other means of recreation, etc. we often don’t see creation as something worth protecting and saving unless it is something important to us. We have to see it as something of value, of worth, before we want to acknowledge its shared belovedness in the eyes of God. But, the reality is, we do not have to approve of or even like what God has created in order for it to still be called good! I am absolutely terrified of spiders, snakes, and scorpions, plus, growing up in Minnesota, I never understood why mosquitoes existed, but that doesn’t mean that any of those things are less worthy of their goodness in the eyes of God (to be determined about mosquitoes still though…) Because, even when we don’t understand how or why, all of creation is a part of this interconnected web of life, in which minute changes can have rippling effects.
Even as we look at today’s Gospel story, I specifically chose this one because of the way Jesus and the donkey play a major role in each other’s stories. We obviously focus on the story of Jesus here every Holy Week, as we hear about him riding into Jerusalem on a donkey and her colt, as the people cry “Hosanna” (Matthew 21: 1-11); this is our big Palm Sunday processional reading. But there are a few things I want to highlight from this story. One, as Jesus fulfills the Scripture by riding in on this donkey, I can’t help but think of the other story in which the donkey also plays a role in carrying the Savior…the story of his entry into the world, as a very pregnant Mary rides a donkey into Bethlehem right before his birth. This isn’t a part of our Scripture, but is such a depicted nativity image, that many of us forget the donkey isn’t even mentioned in the original story. Even with it just being a part of our shared thinking about the story, there is something profound about the way we imagine a donkey accompanying Mary to Jesus’ birth and hear of a donkey accompanying Jesus to his death. For every moment of our lives, we are a part of this larger creation story, in which plants and animals are also a part, and which is so clearly echoed in Jesus’ life, even if there isn’t much mention of animals in the Gospels… (we humans have always tended to be pretty anthropocentric)…
And, as the donkey accompanies Jesus to his death, it matters that this isn’t some grand, triumphal entry on a stallion accompanied by guards, as one might expect from the Messiah. Instead, using this symbol of humility, of an animal that is often used to do work for the common people, not just royalty, Jesus symbolizes who he is as the one who comes on behalf of all people. And, just as the donkey is centered in this story, so too does Jesus’ life and ministry lift up the lowly, the ones who are often working so hard on the behalf of others, but are dismissed or overlooked because of who they are, not seen by others as valuable enough to be important. In that way, his entry on a donkey with palm leaves spread before them on the ground, continues to share an important message about who he is, who God is, and how all of creation is encompassed in God’s care. After all, despite the steep hills, Jerusalem is not that far from the Mount of Olives; Jesus could have just used his feet and walked. But by centering the donkey and her colt, he helps emphasize that he is the Savior of all creation, not just humanity. This is a major proclamation from a seemingly minor animal.
So, as we gather today for the Blessing of the Animals, we know that the value of our pets is more than just what they bring to our lives, but I do want to acknowledge that there is so much they can teach us about life, love, and our God. Whether it be about unconditional love, building trust, deepening our sense of empathy, embracing each moment as it comes, or making more time for joy and play in our busy lives. May we continue to see the ways in which we are all connected in this cosmic web of life! As we accompany one another, may we continue to be accompanied by our beloved pets, the wild animals all around us, and all the animals that we cannot see or who are often overlooked. Just as we talk about the church being one body with many members, so too is this family of creation. All of creation is gifted with different ways of praising God, if only we are able to take some time to pay attention and expand our imaginations to see beyond what we already know. May we continue to enrich and enliven one another, as we bless all that these unique and amazing individuals bring to the world, not just for our sake, but for the sake of all creation!
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Sunday September 27th, 2026 Worship