As I went into school this morning for the open the book assembly, I was greeted by this wonderful cat, Sunny. He is often to be found in the playground, and whilst he lives next door, he is a constant presence giving joy to all the children and bringing sunshine wherever he goes. Whilst he’s not strictly allowed, he clearly doesn’t believe in rules, and the children are very glad that he doesn’t. So am I! He brightens my day, and I know he does for many others as well.

This week, my mind is very much on animals, and how animals and humans work together in Gods economy. The word economy in this sense has absolutely nothing to do with finance, and everything to do with how a household works together for the good of all. In a sense, creation and the universe is Gods household, and everything has its place, and everything works together – or is meant to – for mutual benefit. Granted it doesn’t always seem like that, and there are times when nature is absolutely red in tooth and claw, as the old saying goes. And whilst I do like to think that there is a place for absolutely everything in nature, I do struggle to see the point of mosquitoes, unless it is as food for bats!

This Sunday in Buckland at 10:30, we are having a pet service and remembering animals who worked, suffered, and died alongside human beings in war, particularly in the first and second world war. None of those animals had any kind of choice, and often they showed a dedication and a bravery that might have been described as “almost human“. The abilities of our animal companions never ceased to surprise us, and the gift which they bring to our lives in measurably enrich us in so many ways, but so often we take those for granted.

 Sometimes people ask me, do animals have souls? Very often it’s from children who want to know whether their pets who have died have gone to heaven. Whilst some theologians will vehemently disagree and say that this cannot be the case, I would like to suggest that any heaven which does not include our beloved animals and indeed the richness of creatures from all of the created world would be such a poor place that it could not be called heaven at all. The Bible teaches us that Gods plan is for the renewal, restoration, and reconciliation of all things. We are told that the lion will lie down with the calf and the leopard with the lamb and that they will not kill or hurt or destroy in all of Gods holy mountain. The inclusion of animals is very clearly given.

I’ve been blessed with many animals through my life, and I very much hope to meet them on the other side. I’m sure you probably feel much the same. Jesus tells us that God knows each and every one of the sparrows, and clothe the lilies of the fields, and gives the ravens their food in due time. He also calls us to be good stewards and caretakers of this wonderful world and all the beautiful and incredible creatures within it. For me, as much as anything else, that’s what we celebrate this Sunday in our pet service, as a wider aspect to giving thanks for those wonderful companions who enrich our daily lives.

Revd. Talisker