Because I don’t have a pet, I learn by the witness of others who do. And I recently read someone, named KC, reflect on their first experience of getting a pet. When KC was seven, her mom took her to the animal shelter and told her she could pick out a cat.

She walked straight to the back of the rows of cages and found the rattiest little cat you’ve ever seen in your life. Her tail had been severed after she was hit by a car and her rear was oozing from fresh wounds and ointments. Without even looking at the other cats KC announced to her mother that she wanted that one. KC took her home and cared for that cat.

KC got to know her, and she became her friend. But not because this cat appeared worthy. But simply because KC decided to care for her (Davis, 2022, p. 84).

Maybe you wonder like me, how can KC want to care for such a mangy creature? Yet, something about her story reminded me of God. How God is with us.

In order for Adam not to be alone, God created animals in addition to a human partner (Genesis 2:18-24). Creation communicates the message that none of us were meant to be alone. We were created for relationship – including non-human creatures.  Saint Francis of Assisi understood that. And that is why, near the feast day of Saint Francis (Time and Date, 1995-2024), we make time today to reflect on and honour all our relationships, and especially today with the non-human world.

The story of KC choosing her pet suggests nevertheless that getting know one another means, likely, a life-long work of seeing beyond the surface of things. Getting to know another is about going deeper.

Let’s have some fun with that. I have an exercise I invite you to do with me now. It’s a mind game that involves speculation. I will give you a series of clues – they are objects, items – and then I’ll ask you to offer a series of guesses as to what they ultimately represent, what they ultimately are about (Sperry & Sperry, 2020, p. 39). Ok? Ready?

The first two objects you are given are an iPod and a phone charger. What is their link, or commonality? What do these items ultimately represent? … (Electronic devices?)

But then, you are given a book of crossword puzzles. Now, finding a common link with the first two objects is a bit more challenging, isn’t it? What do you think all three objects ultimately represent? … (Things that entertain and pass the time?)

Next, you receive a map and a bottle of water. Now the task has become much more difficult. Any guesses? What do all five objects represent? … (Inanimate objects?)

Then, these two clues are given: two parents and three children. Now, what do all these items represent? Perhaps a concept that links all these items together is a family trip? Wait, though. We need to verify our tentative guess.

Ten other clues are given next, including snacks, sunglasses, and hand wipes. Each of these subsequent clues adds to the common meaning of all these items suggesting you are correct, indeed.

We are talking here not about electronic devices, ultimately. We are not talking ultimately about things that pass the time, nor are we ultimately talking about inanimate objects. Ultimately, we are talking about a family trip.

Taken together, all these items are necessary to get the true picture of what is actually happening. It’s not that our earlier guesses were false per se. But those conclusions were based on a small sample size of objects. We would be in error to announce too soon what it’s all about. We need to dig deeper in order to unveil the truth, to truly know someone.

So, how do we start?

Why do so many adore their pets? I am told dogs and some cats, too, will often approach their human counterparts with unconditional positive regard. They approach relationship with an openness sadly not often matched in human relationships.

We all need unconditional positive regard from each other. That’s what draws anyone to join any groups and social gatherings. Because they are received first and foremost with an unconditional positive regard from those they meet there. Curiosity. Acceptance. Love.

No wonder Jesus’ closing, summary statement from today’s Gospel is the challenge to receive the love of God as a child (Mark 10:13-16). Without our adult ways getting in the way. Without our adult ways of first scrutinizing a situation or person, without first judging them. They say the longest leap in the world is to jump to a conclusion.

How do we train our minds and hearts to suspend our usual launch into pre-conceived, critical, judgemental interpretations?

Father Ed, the priest who helped Bill Wilson start up Alcoholics Anonymous over a century ago said, “Sometimes Heaven is just a new pair of glasses” (Lamott, 2017).

There is so much more to a person than just the first thing you notice during a brief encounter. Looking upon the heart calls for patience and a willingness in all humility to learn more, ask more, about that person. It’s about relationships that go far beneath the surface. And developing those relationships.

When God guided Samuel to choose the next King of Israel, the Lord said to Samuel: “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).

Alongside the challenge in this word, we can also be comforted knowing that what lies on the surface of our lives need not define us. For example, our challenging circumstances need not define us. What first we notice there, on the surface, is real and requires loving care and attention, to be sure.

At the same time, the Lord looks upon and loves what is on our hearts, what is true there, what is good there. And maybe, what mortals cannot initially nor easily perceive. Except, perhaps, some of our dear animal friends.

Let’s put on that new pair of glasses. And let us pray our vision expands to perceive the dignity God sees in everyone. Because there is something beautiful in everything, everyone, every creature God created.

References:

Davis, K. C. (2022). How to keep house while drowning: A gentle approach to cleaning and organising. Penguin.

Lamott, A. (2017). Hallelujah anyway: Rediscovering mercy. Riverhead.

Sperry, L., & Sperry, J. (2020). Case conceptualization (2nd ed.) Taylor & Francis.

Time and Date. (1995-2024). Feast of St Francis of Assisi 2024 in Canada [website]. https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/canada/st-francis-assisi-feast