Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto

Reflection: If St. Francis Were Alive Today (and a UU)

Bill Landauer (as St. Francis)
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Palo Alto, CA

We live in the San Francisco Bay Area, which was named after St. Francis of Assisi. St. Francis is the patron saint of animals and was loved by both animals and humans. Here is what I envision he would preach in todayÕs Unitarian Universalist Church:

First of all, I encourage each of us to express and live the love we feel in our hearts for animals and to reflect this in our Unitarian Universalist principles.

Our first principle currently states that we believe in “The inherent worth and dignity of every person.” I say that it is now time to open our hearts, broaden our definition, and modify our first principle to read “The inherent worth and dignity of every being.”

Also, our seventh principle is “Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.” Research has shown that livestock production is a bigger factor in global warming than transport. For this reason, as well as for the love of animals, I suggest that we all consider eating less meat.

[Bill read a poem, “Wish for all of Creation”, written by animal chaplain Nancy Cronk, about the relationship between us and the animals of the earth. This can be found on the web site Pet blessings from many faiths]

Finally, a special word to our animal friends: “Spirit of life, may all you wonderful beings be blessed by love.”

Reflection: Kindred by Rev. Amy Zucker Morgenstern
Reflection: Swimming with Turtles by Bill Landauer
Reflection: When Animals Talked by Rev. Amy Zucker Morgenstern
Litany: Litany of Blessing