by Ron Semenoff OFS, J.P.I.C. Animator for St. Mary’s Fraternity
As Franciscans, we members of the O.F.S., are called into a special relationship with all of God’s creation. As Article 11 of our rules states: “Let the Secular Franciscan seek a proper spirit of detachment from all temporal goods by simplifying their own material needs. Let them be mindful that according to the gospel they are stewards of the goods received for the benefit of God’s children.” Our relationship with creation is to be one of stewardship. We are called to be on the forefront of fighting the needless exploitation of the earth and its creatures.
When it comes to issues like resource management, we are called to be advocates of policies and technologies that ensure maximum benefit of the use of resources coupled with minimal ecological impact. This is not always an easy balancing of priorities. In this process we live out Article 18 of our rule which states: “Moreover they should respect all creatures, animate and inanimate, which bear the imprint of the Most High, and they should strive to move from the temptation of exploiting creation to the Franciscan concept of universal kinship.”
One of my favorite expressions of the attitude of universal kinship of creation comes from a popular folk song written by New Hampshire resident Bill Staines. The song is entitled, “All God’s Critters Got a Place in the Choir.” The course of the song is,
All God’s critters got a place in the choir
Some sing low, some sing higher
Some sing out loud on the telephone wires
And some just clap their hands, or paws, or anything they got now.
This wonderful song echos in a new way that fabulous “Song of the Three Men” from the Book of Daniel 3.25-90 which has such memorable verses like verses 79-81:
You dolphins and all water creatures, bless the Lord;
Praise and exalt him above all forever.
All you birds of the air, bless the Lord;
Praise and exalt him above all forever.
All you beasts, wild and tame, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
As we join the universal choir of creation may we all “Bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.”