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St. Francis’ Feast Day and the Things We Can Learn from Cats and Dogs
Archdiocese of Washington ^ | 10-03-16 | Msgr. Charles Pope

Posted on 10/04/2016 7:45:36 AM PDT by Salvation

St. Francis’ Feast Day and the Things We Can Learn from Cats and Dogs

October 3, 2016

blog103

Here at Holy Comforter-St Cyprian Parish in Washington, D.C., we celebrate the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi with the blessing of the animals. Although most folks bring dogs to be blessed, there are usually some who bring cats and a few other animals like ferrets. Once, someone even brought a snake!

Over the years, I have shared with the dog owners a list of “Things we can learn from dogs.” When I was growing up, we always had a dog, so although I did not personally compose the list below, I can vouch for its accuracy.

But over my years of city living I have grown accustomed to having cats (they are great mousers in old rectories). So I set my thoughts toward composing a similar list of what I have learned from cats. They are such independent and self-assured animals! They really let you know who’s boss, but mitigate their arrogance somewhat with clownish play and affectionate “head-butts.”

God speaks to us in all of creation, including our pets, to whom we are often so close. What is God saying? Many things!

So here is my list of what I have heard God say through the cats I have adopted and loved over the years: Tupac, Katy Bell, Jenny June, Gracie Girl, Rita Hayworth, Ellen Bayne, Jerry McGuire, Benedict (Benny), Daniel, and Jewel. (That’s Jewel’s picture at the upper right.) Some of them have lived in the alley, a few in the house, but they have all taught me things. Here are a few pearls of wisdom they have conveyed:

  1. If you can’t get your way, lie across the keyboard until you do. (Be persistent.)
  2. Keep them guessing with meows and long looks to keep their attention. (Mystery attracts.)
  3. When you’re hungry, meow loudly so they feed you just to shut you up. (Get your needs met.)
  4. Always find a good patch of sun to lie in. (Simple pleasures have their place.)
  5. Life is hard and then you nap. (Be well-rested.)
  6. Climb your way to the top; that’s why the curtains are there. (Be resourceful and creative.)
  7. We are Siamese if you please. We are Siamese if you don’t please. (Be yourself.)
  8. Purr often and use head-butts judiciously. (Express gratitude.)
  9. Sleep on their clothes and personal items so as to leave your scent. (Forget-me-nots have their place.)
  10. Use your litter box. (Be clean and polite.)
  11. Be a mouser. (Earn your keep.)
  12. Clown around and do silly stuff. (Be humble.)
  13. Run around wildly for no apparent reason; chase toys and laser pointers. (Exercise often.)
  14. Rest in hidden places. (Solitude has its place.)

The following list of things we can learn from dogs has been making the rounds on the Internet for years, but it really is rather instructive. Dogs do have a lot to teach us, and I thank God for the dogs to whom I have been close over the years: Prince, Missy, Molly, Taco, Salsa, Chili, Kaila, Lucy, Clancy, and many others. And again, although others compiled this second list, I can affirm through much experience how true it is!

Fifteen things we can learn from dogs:

  1. Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joy ride.
  2. Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
  3. When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
  4. Let others know when they’ve invaded your territory.
  5. Take naps and stretch before rising.
  6. Run, romp, and play daily.
  7. Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.
  8. Be loyal.
  9. If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
  10. When someone is having a bad day, be silent. Sit close by and nuzzle them gently.
  11. Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
  12. Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
  13. When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
  14. No matter how often you’re scolded, don’t buy into the guilt thing and pout. Instead, run right back and make friends.
  15. Delight in the simple joys of a long walk.

Happy Feast of St. Francis!

All creatures of our God and king
Lift up your voice and with us sing,
Alleluia! Alleluia!


TOPICS: Apologetics; Catholic; History; Theology
KEYWORDS: animals; catholic; cats; dogs; msgrcharlespope; pets; stfrancis
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To: Melian

They also eat manure and lick each others butts and then lick babies in the face.


21 posted on 10/05/2016 10:51:53 AM PDT by ravenwolf (If the Bible does not say it in plain words, please don`t preach it to me.)
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To: ZULU

hey are signs of His love for us.


Don`t worry i will not eat your dog because God told me not to eat anything with out a split hoof and that did not chew the cud.

Dogs are fine animals but Jesus said not to give anything holy to the dogs nor cast your pearls before the swine.

Would you try to read the scriptures to a pig? would you give Gods holy word to a dog.?

Then you would be ignoring Gods word, regardless of what St Francis or St. Michael said.


22 posted on 10/05/2016 11:02:13 AM PDT by ravenwolf (If the Bible does not say it in plain words, please don`t preach it to me.)
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To: ravenwolf

Being a creature is a sign of the goodness of God and gives Him praise.

I only consider what you say to be an opinion only.

Let us not to agree.


23 posted on 10/05/2016 11:05:48 AM PDT by Biggirl ("One Lord, one faith, one baptism" - Ephesians 4:5)
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To: ravenwolf

All that I need to post is respect the opinions of others.


24 posted on 10/05/2016 11:07:10 AM PDT by Biggirl ("One Lord, one faith, one baptism" - Ephesians 4:5)
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To: ravenwolf
They also eat manure and lick each others butts and then lick babies in the face.

facts are facts ... and these are facts ...

25 posted on 10/05/2016 11:15:18 AM PDT by bankwalker (Does a fish know that it's wet?)
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To: ravenwolf

“That is very good but the Bible in Christ’s own words says for us not to give any thing holy to the dogs, nor cast our pearls before the swine.”

When he said “dogs,” he was referring to gentiles. If you weren’t a Jew, you were a dog. That’s how they talked then.


26 posted on 10/05/2016 3:58:52 PM PDT by dsc (Any attempt to move a government to the left is a crime against humanity.)
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To: wattojawa

Ping


27 posted on 10/05/2016 6:35:08 PM PDT by lightman (I'm nobody special...just a follower of the siren call of the Ison.)
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To: ravenwolf
I would ASSUME that none of the Protestant denominations do this “blessing of animals.”
From: Ravenwolf: I don`t know, but i would not even go to a church that would Baptize a child unless the child was old enough and knew enough to know why it was being done. I believe God gave us a list of animals his people may eat and those his people may not eat.
Some denominations will twist the Bible around so that it looks like the unclean animals has been cleaned, therefore using that as permission to eat them.
While others ignore Gods word and say we are to just eat fruit and vegetables.
I don`t buy either one.

Thanks for your honest answer.

=============================
This came to me from Zulu. First he says that I am WRONG, then says "I believe..." Hard to take him seriously.

ZULU to cloudmountain:
Wrong. I believe Episcopalians and Methodists do.

28 posted on 10/05/2016 6:40:15 PM PDT by cloudmountain
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To: cloudmountain

Some Lutheran and Episcopalian churches do.


29 posted on 10/05/2016 6:46:20 PM PDT by CraigEsq
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To: ravenwolf

The beauty of creatures is that they are content to be what God created them to be and they live completely as themselves: no games, no lies, no airs, no guilt, no pride. They fully live the nature God gave them.

A dolphin , dog, or elephant will work to protect others. They will risk their own lives to try to save a friend.

I think He must love them for that.


30 posted on 10/05/2016 8:38:25 PM PDT by Melian (While we argue here, the bad guys are winning.)
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To: Biggirl

I only consider what you say to be an opinion only.


I do not have an opinion, i can only read the opinion of Jesus.

He is obviously comparing unbelievers to Dogs and swine, meaning ignorant about God.

It does not mean they are bad, it just means if you try to give the word of God to them you are just throwing it away.


31 posted on 10/06/2016 10:13:30 AM PDT by ravenwolf (If the Bible does not say it in plain words, please don`t preach it to me.)
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To: dsc

When he said “dogs,” he was referring to gentiles. If you weren’t a Jew, you were a dog. That’s how they talked then.


That is true but they did not call them dogs for no reason, they were compared to dogs because of their lack of understanding.

We have no idea of the relation ship between God and his animals, we do know that God made an ass talk but we can not do that, and neither can we teach a dog or pig the scriptures.

I believe we need to let animals be what they are and if God wants a dog to go to Church he will make that dog ask in a voice we can understand, like he made the ass talk.


32 posted on 10/06/2016 10:28:14 AM PDT by ravenwolf (If the Bible does not say it in plain words, please don`t preach it to me.)
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To: Melian

I think He must love them for that.
————————————————————————\
I mostly agree, but i have saw some dogs that were just as proud as any man or woman and could whip any thing on four legs if he had to fight but would not ever pick a fight.

I have saw others who were bullies, and i have saw some of them put on what looked to me like airs, but maybe that was not it.


They fully live the nature God gave them.

That is why i believe we should let them be like God made them, why start making them sit in the pews, why make them the hypocrites we are.


33 posted on 10/06/2016 10:42:36 AM PDT by ravenwolf (If the Bible does not say it in plain words, please don`t preach it to me.)
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To: CraigEsq
Some Lutheran and Episcopalian churches do.

What gives ONE Lutheran and/or Episcopalian church the authority to bless animals while withholding it to others?
Does a local bishop have the say?
How does it work?
What is the reason for or for NOT blessing animals?

Just curious.

Being Catholic I don't even know if all Lutheran and/or Episcopalian churches HAVE bishops. Being PROTESTORS/vestiges of the Catholic Church I would ASSUME that practices of having bishops and blessing animals would be TOTALLY unwanted.

WHO is the "ultimate" authority therefore? Again, just curious.

34 posted on 10/06/2016 2:00:14 PM PDT by cloudmountain
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To: Melian

A loving cat can mend a wounded heart. Anon.


35 posted on 10/06/2016 8:12:18 PM PDT by patriot08 (5th generation Texan-(girl type) ANGRY? REFUSE TO VOTE? VOTING 3RD PARTY? HELLO HILLARY!!!)
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To: cloudmountain

I know the Episcopal Church(es) have bishops, but I can’t speak to their actual roles and authority.

The major Lutheran Church bodies all have bishops (though my own, the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod formally eschews the term “bishop,” opting for “District President” instead. Not really sure why. Perhaps simply because they’re elected for a term. Others do use the term bishop. We do too, colloquially). However, for us, the bishop is certainly not the “boss” of the local churches in his district, and we have no hierarchy. It’s more of an administrator and coordinator, overseeing things that generally involve multiple individual churches - missions, seminary, assisting churches fill vacancies, church relations, etc. etc. I know there are some that do feel our district presidents don’t have enough authority (e.g., very difficult to defrock a pastor in the LCMS).

So what gives one church the authority to do something different than others? Because our churches are autonomous. They’re more like franchises than branch offices. From the Augsburg Confession:

“Article VII: Of the Church.
1] Also [Lutheran Churches] teach that one holy Church is to continue forever. The Church is the congregation of saints, in which the Gospel is rightly taught and the Sacraments are rightly administered.
2] And to the true unity of the Church it is enough to agree concerning the doctrine of the Gospel and 3] the administration of the Sacraments. Nor is it necessary that human traditions, that is, rites or ceremonies, instituted by men, should be everywhere alike. 4] As Paul says: One faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of all, etc. Eph. 4:5-6.”
http://www.bookofconcord.org/augsburgconfession.php

So the supreme authority isn’t a who, it’s a what. It’s the Bible. Theoretically, as it has been interpreted by the Church throughout history. “Confessional” Lutherans look to the Book of Concord ~ which is the collection of documents written early during the reformation - many in debate with the Catholic Church - plus the creeds, to be a correct representation of the Church’s teaching. The Evangelical Lutheran Church of America frankly does whatever it feels like (many of us don’t even consider the ELCA to be Lutheran - though there are certainly faithful churches therein. Nobody has a copyright on the name Lutheran.).


36 posted on 10/06/2016 8:13:20 PM PDT by CraigEsq
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To: patriot08

A little cairn terrier puppy mended mine.


37 posted on 10/06/2016 9:33:03 PM PDT by Melian (While we argue here, the bad guys are winning.)
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To: CraigEsq
Thanks for your explanation.

I am SO glad that we are ALL going to be judged by our ONE TRUE Lord. Aren't you?

38 posted on 10/07/2016 3:43:46 PM PDT by cloudmountain
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To: patriot08
A loving cat can mend a wounded heart. Anon.

Amen!

Dogs and cats are truer in their own faiths and love for their human companions than the hypocrites who claim to be Christians........

39 posted on 10/07/2016 4:16:44 PM PDT by Hot Tabasco (If only Hillary had married OJ instead......)
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To: Hot Tabasco

Yes. Thank you.


40 posted on 10/07/2016 5:14:43 PM PDT by patriot08 (5th generation Texan-(girl type) ANGRY? REFUSE TO VOTE? VOTING 3RD PARTY? HELLO HILLARY!!!)
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