Francis saw animals as his brothers and sisters because they were God’s creatures, just like people. He said of animals: “Not to hurt our humble brethren is our first duty to them, but to stop there is not enough. We have a higher mission -- to be of service to them wherever they require it.” So Francis prayed that God would work through him to help animals as well as people.
To my surprise, there is an Icon of the Orthodox Christian Patron Saint of Animals, St. Modestos.
This shouldn't surprise me since Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew beautifully stated: “Everything that lives and breathes is sacred and beautiful in the
eyes of God.” We believe it is our responsibility as human beings to love, honor, and care for God’s earth; that He created and blessed every creature that swims in its oceans, walks or crawls on its soil, or flies in its skies.
I would love to hear from Lebo Citizen readers of other faiths. About two months ago, a resident spoke at a commission meeting and said that he and his wife were very upset that deer will be killed using his tax dollars. I agree. This goes against my religious beliefs too.
Wonder if it is against the Commissioners' religions?
ReplyDeleteJewish tradition has a very poor regard for this pastime....The Torah does not forbid hunting, and specifically refers to hunting wild animals for food (Leviticus 17:13, Living Torah translation): "If any man, whether of the family of Israel or a proselyte who joins them, traps an animal or bird that may be eaten and spills its blood, he must cover [the blood] with earth." But note that the verse is careful to specify that the prey is an animal that may be eaten; even in this case, the animal must not be killed by the hunt but rather must be ritually slaughtered like a domesticated animal. Furthermore, in this case the Torah imposes the special commandment of covering the blood. This is over and above the general prohibition on eating the blood described at length in the same passage; both have the object of ensuring that eating meet does not become a "blood-thirsty" pursuit, a danger which is greater in the case of hunting, even the permissible variety.
ReplyDeleteAll creatures great and small, the Lord God made them all.
ReplyDeleteThe musical version of the above was the last song at the funeral of US Senator John Heinz.
Not only are the deer garden eaters, but so are rabbits, moles, voles, and even the birds feast on the seed. Will the elitists want to eliminate the these other vegetation eaters? Perhaps the commissioners could volunteer for a Mt. Lebanon mole count. At least they would not be engaged in wasting taxpayer dollars.
ReplyDeleteHas anybody read the Pope Francis' ecological encyclical?
ReplyDeleteI know that the Pope, who took his name from the patron saint of animals, would be protesting with the anti-kill, anti-violence crowd.
Thank you for the talking points, St. Francis.
Hey Guys, is anyone reading the newspaper (in those few moments when you tear yourself away from Elaine's blog)? :)
ReplyDeleteFrancis, the Green Pope, declared in his ecology encyclical that "We are not God."
Further, Francis said that we should not act as if we are "usurping the place of God, EVEN TO THE POINT OF CLAIMING AN UNLIMITED RIGHT TO TRAMPLE HIS CREATION UNDERFOOT." (Emphasis supplied.)
Perhaps the pro-kill government will take heed. End the arrogance and find a place in the world (and in your heads) where you can live in peace. You'll feel much better about yourselves if you do.
Perhaps Mt. Lebanon will experience a spiritual awakening. Let's hope it happens before the first shot is fired.
ReplyDeleteThe Pope says that we are part of a throw away culture. I couldn't agree more except Mt Lebanon is ok with killing and cruelty in the process.
ReplyDeleteI think that deer kills are part of Mt. Lebo's throw away culture.
ReplyDeleteThe commissioners' plan to kill the deer has moral and ethical ramifications that will damage Mt. Lebanon and its reputation for years to come.
ReplyDeleteMay God have mercy on their souls. They have ripped the heart out of this community.
Too bad The Pope hasn't set John Hayes of the P-G straight. Violence is our civic duty? Scared.
ReplyDeleteAs a person who operates a pet ministry, I have researched what the bible says about animals. In the creation story, is states that God breathed breath into man and with the same breath, into the animals. God then gave man dominion over the animals, meaning man was responsible for the animals, not that man should play God and kill them.
ReplyDeleteIn Utah, leaders of many faiths, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and more gather a few years ago to present a proclamation that stated specifically that we, as responsible, God centered people,should respect and co-exist with the animals God has placed on this earth. Universally, religions cry out for respect for animals. But most of the commissioners wont listen.