Thinking of ourselves as “companion animals” might change the way we think of blessedness, of holiness; Jesus himself counseled us to “consider the lilies,” and if St. Francis thought himself worthy to preach to birds, as legend has it, I imagine he was humble enough to learn from them as well. Coco the cat was truly holy in the way all created things are: complete in herself, as God made her, without apology. We could aspire to such holiness, and their own original blessing is a truth of faith worth teaching our children.
This message is adapted from “The Spirit of St. Francis” written by Bryan Cones in the October 2013 issue of Gather magazine.