The gospel of grace is brutally devalued when Christians maintain that the transcendent God can only be properly honoured and respected by denying the goodness and the truth and the beauty of the things of this world
Brennan Manning “The Ragamuffin Gospel”
Posted in Books, Films & Music, Community, Sacred Space, Spirituality
Su and Sanctuary pals. Here are two wonderful animals stories that I have found that relate to this posting. This will be part of my worldview/story course I’m writing for Urban Saints.
Consider the moving story of St Columba (521 – 597). On the last day of his life a white horse, knowing that Columba’s death was near, laid its head on his chest and began to mourn; the attendant tried to shoo the horse away but Columba gently rebuked the servant and blessed his friend the horse, as it sadly turned away.
There is a delightful story about an African missionary who was one day confronted by a sad leopard while walking in the jungle. Normally speaking it is advisable to avoid these ferocious cats that lack insight into the refined arts of hospitality and courtesy. The missionary gave himself up for dead. But, to his utter astonishment, the leopard, instead of springing upon him, came and snuggled up to him, at the same time whining and lifting up his paw. Observing it to be swollen and inflamed, he examined it and found a large thorn embedded in the ball of the foot. The disciple of Jesus removed it and dressed the wound as well as he could. Then the leopard gazed at the missionary with a soulful, thankful expression and sauntered cheerfully back into the dense jungle.
I call this reenchanting the world. This is all part of the gospel rightly understood.
Rocky
By: Mark Roques on April 11, 2008
at 11:13 am
I love that stuff Rocky, it’s good to remember we are wild men and women in God’s creation, and our intuitive knowing is part of reflecting his image.
lets celebrate the Christian tradition of harmony with creation, as you say ‘re-enchanting the world’.
By: subo on April 11, 2008
at 12:30 pm
Thanks Rocky, your stories have ignited meaning into that quote, which I knew I liked but I didn’t know why. I love animals. When I watch them going about their daily business I am fascinated by them. I have never lost that sense of awe and wonder when I observe them. It annoys me a bit when people are so dismissive of the other creatures that we share a planet with. Although I must admit to not being strong enough to give up meat - bacon butties in particular!
I like the story of St Cuthbert being warmed and dried by otters after he had prayed at the edge of the water and the waves had swept over him.
Su I’ve heard good things about this book - you have inspired me to get it in on my wishlist. Thank s.
By: Carole on April 12, 2008
at 10:10 am
cheers Carol, your warmth and support on this site is really nurturing, it’s great to feel you can share your soul, your passion for God, and meet others who get it.
By: subo on April 12, 2008
at 9:06 pm
Likewise, Su.
By: Carole on April 12, 2008
at 9:35 pm
Just come back from the far flung north of scotland ( Durness) to see my sister and her family who have just moved there. It is an awesome, wild, environment up there- bit too wild, craggy, and cold for my soft southernly tastes! but saw some great wildlife- golden eagles, red deer, highland cattle, seals and loads of snow peaked mountains. No doubt about it there was a sense of the wonder of God’s creation all around.
By: soniamain on April 14, 2008
at 5:53 pm
great post and great stories rocky. the creation really is gob smacking isn’t it. like carole, i am always in awe of other creatures… i can spend hours just looking at a hamster and wondering what goes on in its tiny little head. other creatures and their ways are utterly fascinating… and there are many stories of man eating animals coming to people for comfort or help… bless ‘em. wolves becoming domesticated is a good example of this… they would camp out near humans because they were safe and would also get scraps from the humans for the protection they in turn brought the community. so dogs and humans have sought each other out it seems… fascinating.
but lambs are very tasty aren’t they?… and sheep, i don’t trust sheep… something about their eyes gives me the creeps. best off on a plate with mint sauce i say. i prefer goats, they’re evil, you just know they’re going to either butt you or bite you… but sheep, you just don’t know what they might do. 
By: jonbirch on April 16, 2008
at 11:47 pm
Steady on Kierkegaard, - you might have a posh name, but do you really mean we should be more careful how we treat each other?
“In all our contexts of interpersonal relationship: family, community, church we can either help one another to grow by holding each other emotionally in a facilitating environment in which we can develop the trust to make choices and to live with ambiguities, or we can effectively push each other to one of the extremities of Kierkegaard’s axes - to the points of despair.”
From ‘Counselling in Context, Developing a Theological Framework’, by Francis Bridger and David Atkinson
By: subo on April 24, 2008
at 8:40 pm
