We Did It!
We just finished our blessing of the pets services. It was a blast! I was amazed at how the animals would respond as Alice and I prayed for them. I am glad we decided to do three services as it would have been a little chaotic to try and do them all at one time. In case you missed it, here is a copy of what I said today:
After we announced that we were going to do a “Blessing of the Pets”, I had two people ask me if we would do exorcisms as well. I think that is hilarious. What I said was, “let’s try the blessing first, and then we can go from there”. Our pets add so much to our lives. Before we pray a blessing on our pets today, let’s talk for just a few moments about some pet things.
For the more politically correct animal advocates, “animal companion” is the preferred term, as it takes away the connotation of ownership. After all, do we really “own” our pets or do they own us? We’ re responsible for their food, shelter and veterinary care — and to that extent are their keepers — but truth be told, they “keep” us just as surely as we keep them.
Do animals have souls? People often want to argue the theology of this question. Usually people without pets. How could anyone who has experienced the unconditional love of an animal companion doubt that animals have souls? But for those with questions listen to these verses from the Book of Job.
Job 12:7-10 (KJV)
7 But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee: 8 Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee. 9 Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this? 10 In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.
Our pets LOVE, and that to me is evidence of a soul.
Those of you who have gathered here today in the love of your pets, thank you for sheltering and caring for these friends. To live with them and care for them is a privilege, a blessing, an exercise in humility, patience and respect for difference.
We call this service the Blessing of the Pets, but the reality is, it is they who bless us.
Let us join our hearts in this prayer for these very special and beloved visitors and friends.
Gathered here, we pause to acknowledge our place in creation and our responsibility to it. We lift up grateful hearts to you O Lord this day for the infinite variety of creatures which make our own existence so much richer. As human beings, stewards of the earth, we extend our blessings to our friends and companions of fur and claw, wing and fin, scale and hoof, paws and feathers. We promise to live with them in harmony as best we can, to be respectful of the fact that we share the planet together, and to refrain from exploiting them to selfish or abusive ends. We pray today for all of the animals who are sick or harmed and for those who love them, that they may find peace at the last and comfort in love shared and remembered. Lord Jesus, creator of all things, thank you for these, our animal friends and companions, those present today, those we bring with us in our hearts, and those who have crossed the Rainbow Bridge to that peaceful beyond. May you richly bless them all. Amen. Woof. Meow.
The we prayed for all of the pets individually. I will upload pictures and videos in the next couple of days.
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Category: A Jesus Moment Ramblings
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