On the path to Easter, joy and grief are intrinsic to our Lenten Walk. It’s a tough paradox that the more we love, the deeper we tend to mourn. We sometimes forget that with God’s love, certain things will never die. They will thrive.
I’m an artist who specializes in sculpting animal companions. Most are beloved dogs who have passed, and my process involves asking their human everything about them: their nobility, goofiness, compassion, intelligence, and unique quirks that endear us to them.
When their human talks about them, it’s like the pup is still alive. Time after time, what resonates through memory is the unforgettable, unconditional LOVE that particular pup exuded – love that literally knocks you over and covers you with kisses when you’ve had a bad day. Love that leans its soft weight against you when you feel alone. Love that forgives when you’ve stepped on their tail. Love that tells you, “You are special. You are mine.”
You know whom that sounds like.
And it’s not just dogs who inspire Godliness. The internet thrives with videos of animals from elephants to horses, from cats and ostriches to turtles and giant sloths, showing acts of rescue, humor, compassion and instinctive wisdom. Whether you’re fond of animals or not, there is much to learn about God’s love – and loving each other – from our creature siblings. They not only help us be more human; they help us be more holy.
So on this path of life, in the midst of grief, anger, or things in peril, beyond the Lenten walk, I pray we continue to be creatures who show wisdom, who exemplify forgiveness and comfort. May we continue to lift up fellow spirits with something silly, or lean in to say “you’re not alone.” God gave us the Resurrection to promise that Christ and Spirit never die. And with God’s eternal love, surely all creatures can thrive.
Patrice Donnell
“Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures.”
– St. Francis of Assisi
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