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| Image by Francesco Crippa |
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Celtic Animals and their Saints
A GREETING
Bless O God, my soul,
and remember all God’s kindnesses!
(Psalm 103:2)
A READING
You set springs gushing in ravines,
running down between the mountains,
supplying water for wild animals
and attracting the thirsty wild donkeys;
the birds of the air make their nests by these waters
and sing among the branches.
From your palace you water the highlands
until the ground is sated by the fruit of your work;
you make fresh grass grow for cattle
and plants for us to cultivate
to get food from the soil—
wine to cheer our hearts, oil to make our faces shine,
and bread to sustain our life.
(Psalm 104:10-15)
MUSIC
A MEDITATIVE VERSE
Bless O God, all creation,
to the far reaches of God’s reign!
Bless O God, my soul!
(Psalm 103:22)
A REFLECTION
What is this “hope” that I still believe in, that keeps me motivated to carry on, fighting the good fight? What do I really mean by “hope”? Hope is often misunderstood. People tend to think that it is simply passive wishful thinking: I hope something will happen but I’m not going to do anything about it. This is indeed the opposite of real hope, which requires action and engagement. Many people understand the dire state of the planet—but do nothing about it because they feel helpless and hopeless. That is why this book is important, as it will, I hope (!), help people realize that their actions, however small they may seem, will truly make a difference. The cumulative effect of thousands of ethical actions can help to save and improve our world for future generations. And why would you bother to take action if you did not truly hope that it would make a difference? My reasons for hope in these dark times will become clear in this book, but for now let me say that without hope, all is lost. It is a crucial survival trait that has sustained our species from the time of our Stone Age ancestors.
- from The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times,
by Jane Goodall and Douglas Abrams
A PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Jesus friend, companion, lover of my soul,
The One who walks beside me
Wherever I might go.
The One who holds me close
When despair lurks at the door,
And comforts me,
When the way is rough
And I stumble over rocks
I did not see.
Walk with me now,
Through all the twists and turns of life,
When clouds obscure the way,
When what once seemed close,
Now looks so far away.
Walk with me
Down paths of light,
And trails of dark,
Hold me lest I fall.
Until I trust in you
And journey into the light
At the centre of your love.
from Celtic Advent: Following an Unfamiliar Path
by Christine Aroney-Sine.
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Uncredited video found on the
Instagram page of @valaisblacknosesheepscotland
Advent is a time when Creation holds its collective breath. The anticipation of the Christ child is a longing for the renewal of the entire world: the human and the more than human. This week we reflect on how animals gifted the early Celtic Christians with their wisdom and companionship.
In the sixth to eighth centuries, known as the era of early Celtic monasticism, animals were not simply raised for work or food; instead, they played a pivotal role in the spiritual journeying of the monks. Their strength, beauty and capacity for awareness of the interconnectedness of all things were deeply revered. Animals were spiritual partners. In an inversion of the 'dominion over' prescription of Genesis 1, many animals saved the lives of their humans and showed humans how to be in right relationship with the earth. This deep connectedness is still a primary value of contemporary Celtic Christianity, as it is of many Indigenous spiritualities around the world. How close or far are its values to the way most of us live our everyday lives?
This week, we return to an exploration of contemporary figures who fill us with Advent hope. Over the next days we will find echoes of the Celtic experience of animals and their wisdom in the work of the late Jane Goodall, the primatologist and conservationist who died on October 1st. Goodall's last published book focuses entirely on the discipline of hope and what we can do to embody hope in the world.
We will also be accompanied this week by sections of Psalm 104, often called the 'zoological hymn.' In today's reading, the Psalmist's joy is mixed with wonder at the diversity and richness of what God has made. The wild animals, birds and other creatures are a part of that wonder.
How can we transform our relationship to the more than human creatures that we share the planet with? How will the coming of Jesus bring renewal to the animal world -- with our help?
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| Image by Ken Finlay |
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Scripture passages are taken from The Inclusive Bible.
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LC† Vigil in Hope is a devotional series of Lutherans Connect, supported by the Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and the Centre for Spirituality and Media at Martin Luther University College. To receive the devotions by email, write to lutheransconnect@gmail.com. The devotional pages are written and curated by Deacon Sherry Coman, with support and input from Pastor Steve Hoffard, Catherine Evenden and Henriette Thompson. Join us on Facebook. Lutherans Connect invites you to make a donation to the Ministry by going to this link on the website of the ELCIC Eastern Synod and selecting "Lutherans Connect Devotionals" under "Fund". Devotions are always freely offered, however your donations help support the ongoing work.
Thank you and peace be with you!
