Most people agree. We should be kind. But this means much more than just being kind to our fellow humans. It means being kind to Earth and all therein.
Of course, one area we have been overlooking largely is the animal kingdom. So many of us love animals. It’s true. Yet, there is something troubling behind it all. A good friend recently posted an article concerning the decline of the animal population since the 1970s.
To quote the article: “ Many scientists believe we are living through the sixth mass extinction – the largest loss of life on Earth since the time of the dinosaurs – and that it is being driven by humans.”
They say that Earth’s wildlife populations have been dropping off terribly — by an average of 69% in just under 50 years.
It is mainly because we humans continue to pollute our world. We destroy nature. We kill our forests, harm our oceans, and consume far beyond Earth’s capabilities.
With all of that in mind, we should always be kind to animals, in whatever form that may go. We need to coexist with the animal population compassionately.
Interestingly, this has happened throughout history, especially when it comes to the Saints in Christianity.
First, we should take notice of St. Cuthbert of Lindisfarne. He was a gentle monk and bishop in the northern part of England in the 7th century.
Stories are told of him interacting with animals. One of the best-known accounts tells about his ritual of saying his morning prayers while standing in the frigid waters of the North Sea. When he’d say his final “Amen” and walk out of the waves, two otters would come along and curl up on his feet to warm him. He must have been praying well. I otter be so lucky.
Another story about him involves ducks. When he got up in years, Cuthbert retired to the small island of Inner Farne to become a hermit. Oh, the joy of that. Anyway, he made sure that the eider ducks living there were protected from human harm. He told the monks of the island not to harm them in any way. And the ducks liked it that way. They could be found everywhere, from the monks’ rooms or even at the altar in the chapel. Apparently, one of the monks made fun of St. Cuthbert’s affection for the ducks. The guy dropped dead later that day.
St. Kevin of Glendalough had blackbirds circa 498 AD.
St. Giles, the Hermit of southern France in the 7th century, hung out with deer.
St. Anthony of Egypt had a trusty pig.
St. Meinrad was a hermit monk who lived in Switzerland in the 9th century. He was given a statue of the Virgin Mary, and apparently, that statue could work miracles. People flocked to visit him and find a miracle. Birds also flocked to him, in particular a pair of ravens.
St. Meinrad was strict about following the rules of poverty, an oath that monks take. People would bring him gifts to visit that statue. But Meinrad always gave those presents away to the poor.
One night, he had unwelcome visitors. Two robbers named Richard and Peter came to steal the gifts they thought Meinrad had in his possession. They found the saint had nothing. So they killed him in their anger and fled.
But Meinrad’s two ravens saw the whole thing. The ravens, who Meinrad had cared for from chicks, followed the murderers. The birds started dive-bombing Richard and Peter and made all sorts of racket. They continued this until people came to arrest the two robbers for what they had done.
Finally, for my pal Janet. St. Veridiana was a hermit nun. Her cell was only 10 feet long and three feet wide. She had one small window facing into a church so she could hear mass. There was another hole that allowed food to be handed in. Tight quarters.
For the next 34 years, Veridiana stayed there completely alone. Except for her favorite animals — a pair of large snakes. These snakes crept into the cell, and St. Veridiana would feed them with some of her own meager rations.
So there it is.
Be kind to those animals out there.
Be kind to Earth.
Be kind to one another.
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“Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.”
—The 14th Dalai Lama
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“Remember, there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.”
—Scott Adams
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“Kindness begins with the understanding that we all struggle.”
—Charles Glassman
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The animals. Kind, we should be. Like the saints.
