The Grace of Animals

Jesus taught that it is natural for a good shepherd to leave the ninety-nine sheep in his fold in order to rescue one little lost lamb. Well versed in the Torah, surely Jesus knew the story of the brave little donkey who wisely turned from the angel in her path, though it was invisible to the prophet Balaam. By grace, we learn intuitive wisdom through animals. We all know the story of Daniel in the lions’ den. By grace, we learn gentleness through animals. When Jesus entered Jerusalem, He fulfilled the prophecy by riding on the unbroken colt of a donkey. By grace, we learn receptivity through animals. Even the prophet Jonah, who thought he could hide from God’s mission for him, prayed from the belly of the “big fish” and was delivered safely to the shore. By grace, we learn that God works through animals. This Sunday, we will spiritually “swim with the dolphins!”