Ruth,our oldest daughter, is a nurse at the local hospital - one of the hats that she wears is that of a wound care nurse. Pat has a dilema with the calf that was born C-section a few weeks ago... it has places on both of it's front legs where the chains caused opening through the hide and there are now wounds there. He called in Ruth with her expertise to help out yesterday.
Her two youngest were along and seemed to feel badly for the calf and also saw their mother with new eyes as she expertly cared for this otherwise healthy calf. Pat had to hold it down for Ruth, because it is so healthy that it would be running very fast in the other direction... It doesn't know that it needs help from us... it just wants his mother...
A look of compassion and taking the commands of God to heart - that we are called upon to care for the beasts of the field... Pat does take it to heart and at times it can be hugely challanging. It just seemed appropriate to think of this daily caring for Oliver Twist - the name I gave it as he was born C-section due to a twisted uterus- at this time when we bring our brokenness to the Lord at Lent. We limp to him with our wounds gaping open - yet we try to hide them from him. Why?
He already knows everything about us, and is waiting there with open arms to hold us and bind our wounds, and give us the forgiveness that we crave and need to go forward, and to then in turn minister to those closest to us - our domestic Church - our families! 
Jesus, we come to you broken and lame and blind and wounded - we ask for the strength to give it all to you in the sacrament of reconcilliation and to go forth free and ready to start anew. We love you and need you and you totally "see" us and comand us to take up our mat and walk forward healed and forgiven. In our weakness is when you come to us. You gave up your life to give us eternal LIFE! Jesus, we trust in you! Amen and Halleluia.
Bless-bless, BarbAnimals are frequently mentioned throughout scripture. As example:
Proverbs 12:10, "The righteous man regards the life of his beast." Genesis 9, after the flood, it is mentioned five times that "I will make a covenant with you and with all living creatures."
Deuteronomy 22 and Exodus 23, "If you see an animal that is overburdened, you should lighten its load to help it."
Job 12: 7-10, "Ask the birds, ask the beasts and they will teach you."
Saint Francis' Canticle of All Creatures
Most High, all-powerful, all-good Lord,
All praise is Yours, all glory, all honour and all blessings.
To you alone, Most High, do they belong,
and no mortal lips are worthy to pronounce Your Name.
Praised be You my Lord with all Your creatures,
especially Sir Brother Sun,
Who is the day through whom You give us light.
And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendour,
Of You Most High, he bears the likeness.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars,
In the heavens you have made them bright, precious and fair.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air,
And fair and stormy, all weather's moods,
by which You cherish all that You have made.
Praised be You my Lord through Sister Water,
So useful, humble, precious and pure.
Praised be You my Lord through Brother Fire,
through whom You light the night
and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong.
Praised be You my Lord through our Sister,
Mother Earth who sustains and governs us,
producing varied fruits with coloured flowers and herbs.
Praise be You my Lord through those who grant pardon
for love of You and bear sickness and trial.
Blessed are those who endure in peace,
By You Most High, they will be crowned.
Praised be You, my Lord through Sister Death,
from whom no-one living can escape.
Woe to those who die in mortal sin!
Blessed are they She finds doing Your Will.
No second death can do them harm.
Praise and bless my Lord and give Him thanks,
And serve Him with great humility.
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