Thought for the week – He who loves me will be loved.

Today, we would normally have held our Pet Service. Our love of animals is a natural instinct, and if we also love God and obey his commandments, we in turn will be loved by him. A pet may sometimes be able to offer a level of companionship and affection that is even deeper and more satisfying than human interaction. The living creatures that are described in the Bible have often been used as Christian symbols, such as the Lion for Courage, the Lamb for Christ himself, the Dove for the Holy Spirit (and for Peace as demonstrated in the story of Noah), the Dog for Fidelity, and the Peacock for Immortality. Several of the apostles were fishermen, and the letters in the Greek word for Fish represent, Jesus Christ God’s Son & Saviour, one of the earliest Christian creeds. Jesus’s ministry teaches compassion and love for all of creation, but especially through God’s work in the human heart. (John 14. 15-21)

The Benedicite, a canticle that has been used at morning prayer in Christian religious communities since the fourth century, includes these verses:

“O ye Whales, and all that move in the waters, bless ye the Lord;

O all ye fowls of the air, bless the Lord; O all ye beasts and cattle, bless the Lord;

Praise him and magnify him for ever.”

Hymn for the Day All creatures of our God and King

All creatures of our God and King,

Lift up your voice and with us sing

Alleluya, Alleluya!

Thou burning sun with golden beam,

Thou silver moon with softer gleam:

O praise him, O praise him,

Alleluya, alleluya, alleluya!