Wayne Pacelle: A Humane Nation | The Humane Society of the United States

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Wayne Pacelle: A Humane Nation | The Humane Society of the United States

Eyes on the Sparrow

Posted: 24 Dec 2008 01:59 PM CST

Last year, The HSUS launched its Animals and Religion program—a campaign

that calls upon religious people to put faith into action. All of the world's

major religions speak to our responsibilities to animals, and we at The HSUS

have not invented this concern, but reminded them of their own powerful

traditions.

 

Since animals' lives are bound up with our lives today and throughout history,

it would be wrongheaded to think that the principles of kindness and mercy would

not apply to animals as well as people. In referencing Luke 2:1-20, Pastor

Glenn Pease in his sermon on Christmas Animals reminds us of the central place

of animals in Jesus’s birth:

" In His birth our Lord Jesus identified with the animal kingdom. He was born

in a stable meant for the shelter of animals. He was laid in a manger meant for

the feeding of animals. The first sounds baby Jesus heard could have been the

sound of animals. He was first announced to the shepherds whose whole life

revolved around the care, feeding, and protection of animals. The wise men, who

represented the Gentile world, made their journey to worship Him on animals.

They were likely camels, although horses were not impossible. Mary likely made

it to Bethlehem riding on a donkey. Later in His life, Jesus was in a context

where He related both to the angels and animals. Mark 1:13 says, 'He was with

the wild animals, and angels attended Him.' This was during His forty days in

the wilderness. Angels and animals have this in common, they are both servants

of God and man. They are both a part of the Christmas story. " (Read a hymn that

illustrates the animals' role in the Christmas

story here.)

 

Among Jesus's many favorable references to animals in the New Testament, he is

twice quoted (Luke 12:6, Matthew 10:29) as saying that the Lord cares for all

his creatures, even those considered the " lowliest " of them: " Are not five

sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. "

Indeed, compassion for animals is not just an integral part of the

Judeo-Christian religious tradition, but it is a tenet and teaching of Buddhism,

Hinduism, and Islam, too.

And so, as the holiday reminds us to love others and spread goodness, it is

impossible for me to imagine that the abuse or neglect of animals could ever be

acceptable to a merciful God.

 

 

 

 

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Enjoy life and smile.