Terry Paul Choyce
Aug, 27, 2006, Brunswick Street United Church
We share this planet with millions, no billions, of nonhuman creatures. Animals, birds, fish, bugs, even amoebas are living beings. God created most of them before he thought about making people. And one of the reasons humans were made was too take care of the animals. Listen to Genesis 1:20 to 26:
20 And God said, "Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the vault of the sky." 21 So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 22 God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth." 23 And there was evening, and there was morningÑÑthe fifth day.
24 And God said, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind." And it was so. 25 God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.
26 Then God said, "Let us make human beings in our image, in our likeness, so that they may have dominion over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, [a] and over all the creatures that move along the ground."
The word "dominion" is crucial now to the survival of many species of creatures, and possibly to the survival of this planet as we now know it. For centuries people felt that they could do to the earth anything they wanted. They could use its resources until they were gone, pollute its waters and ground and air, and use wildlife for food, work, and entertainment. Now we realise that God did not intend for us to rule the earth with a blind eye and a cold heart, but we are to take care of the earth. People, in their selfishness and their inconsideration, have destroyed much of this planet, wiped out whole species of living beings, and endangered the existence of many more. With 6 billion people on Earth, we have to stop treating the earth as our garbage site, and its life forms as our possessions. We have to treat everything like it is sacred. Because everything is sacred. If we believe God created it all, then we need to treat all life as part of God.
Today's service is focussed on animals. I decided to preach on this topic because of the open house that happens today at Hope for Wildlife Society out in Seaforth. My daughter Sunyata has volunteered there for several years, feeding baby raccoons, birds, squirrels, fawns, foxes, skunks, and even a baby bobcat 2 years ago. The place is run by Hope Swinnemer, who is one of the most selfless, compassionate people I have ever known. She has dedicated her life to keeping animals alive and healthy. At great personal expense, with her time, money, and to the detriment of her own health, Hope has saved the lives of thousands of animals, and has been able to release most of them into the wild once again. I highly recommend going out there today from 12 to 4 to see the work that they do, and to give some financial support if possible.
Many of you have pets. Pets can contribute so much to the quality of our lives. They teach us about unconditional love; especially dogs do that. Every dog loves its master, often when it is not even treated well. Dogs are very loyal and many are affectionate too. Plus, if you take your dog for several walks a day, you are getting the exercise you need to keep yourself healthy.
In our condo building there is a woman who is recovering from breast cancer. In June, her husband died of brain cancer at the age of 51. They have only lived in NS two years, and all of their family and friends are out west.
To help herself with her grief, this woman got a tiny black puppy she named Jasmine. She has to take Jasmine out many times day. Of course, everyone wants to make a fuss over a cute, frisky puppy. So this woman has people coming up to her all day long. Yesterday I saw her surrounded by children, and she was beaming with happiness. This dog has transformed her from a suffering, lonely woman, to a person who brings happiness to others, and who now has many acquaintances, and maybe even a few new friends.
Many families get pets to help teach the children about love and responsibility. My friend Brenda has 3 boys, and this year she got 2 puppies. The boys have to take the dogs out, feed them, and brush them. Of course Brenda has to do a lot of the care too, but she has enjoyed it. And she is thrilled with how her sons have taken responsibility for the dogs. This has brought the whole family much joy and closeness. Animals can definitely enrich our lives.
We can learn much by the example of all kinds of creatures. I am going to read to you from this book, Spiritual Literacy, about what animals have meant to humans for many generations and in many cultures. The first is by Edward Hays and it is about a cat. (P.178)
Now this by Jamie Sams (P. 180) about buffalos.
Gunilla Norris gives us a saintly view of geese (P.174)
Animals teach us, they help us, and they love us. As the God appointed stewards of this planet, we are responsible for ensuring that all creatures, great and small, are allowed to live as God intended. It truly is up to us to make sure all life on earth survives and flourishes.
©Terry Paul Choyce. Used with permission from the author.
