KINSHIP AND KARING
Today’s devotional “Kinship and Karing” is about the National Wildlife Day a day to celebrate not only the magnificent creatures on earth, in the skies, and under the water – but also a special day to recognize their Creator and our role in protecting His Creations.
THOUGHT:
This Sunday, September 4 is National Wildlife Day; a day to celebrate not only the magnificent creatures on earth, in the skies, and under the water – but also a special day to recognize their Creator and our role in protecting His Creations.
Although the Bible does not name every specific animal the Lord God created, it does highlight the fact that God chose to inhabit this earth with the most diverse and fascinating creatures. Although their lives were born from Him, God the Father put mankind in charge of the animals – not only naming them but also taking care of them or to “rule over them”. When someone is put in charge of ruling over someone or something, in this context, means to take care of and to protect. God so loved the creatures that He chose to give the auspicious responsibility to us.
Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name.
—Genesis 2:19—
In the parable of the talents, in Matthew 21, a man leaves three other men in charge of his fortune. Two of those men protect his fortune but one does not demonstrate sufficient responsibility or respect for his boss. Mankind’s “charge” of naming and caring for the beasts of the earth can be thought of in the same fashion.
If God is putting us in charge of His “Wild” Kingdom, then He expects us to feed, tend, and protect them. Another example is in the Book of John, Chapter 10, when Jesus is referred to as The Good Shepherd. A shepherd does not take his job lightly. He protects the sheep. He finds them when they are lost. He provides water and food.
We have all heard about words and concepts such as Ecology and Preservation as it pertains to the multitudes of creatures in the life cycle. If we are not aware of the importance of the role that each one plays in this world, then we are not fully living up to our job for the Creator. If we are careless with pollution, littering, hunting, etc., then we are guilty of not doing our part for God. Just as men were responsible for the talents or just as the shepherd is responsible for the livestock, so we are responsible for ensuring the safety and livelihood of all Gods’ creatures.
Some may wonder “What can I really do?”. Here are a few suggestions:
St. Francis of Assisi once said:
“If you have men who will exclude any of God’s creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men.”
In the Book of Mark, the writer notes that IMMEDIATELY after Jesus was baptized, He went off into the wilderness and was amongst the creatures that His Father had made for Him and us.
At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased. “At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted[g] by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him. —Mark 1:9-13—
The importance of this situation should not be overlooked. In Jesus’ time of reflection, He spent it amongst the animals and birds. There seems to even be a certain reverence in the situation in that He stepped away from mankind and chose to live, if even for a short time, amongst the creatures.
Hopefully, we will recognize this situation as a mirror of what our actions should be as we journey through our lives here on earth. If Jesus felt it was important, and God created such awesome wonder, maybe we should also realize the vital role we play in caring for each and every creature we have received from our Creator.
PRAYER:
Lord God, Creator of man and animals, help us to be aware of Your Magnificent Creativity. Create in us a conscience that thrives on caring for Your creatures. Help us to open our eyes and ears for the opportunities available to us to care for all You have made. Let us know that “It is good.” AMEN.
CELEBRATE KINSHIP AND KARING WITH GOD’S CREATION.
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