“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses…” — Hebrews 12:1
Anyone who has worked with children knows the question: “Does my pet go to heaven?”
Oh, that question has stumped me many times over the years. For those of us who love animals, or creation of any kind, these kinds of questions can make us stop and think. As we here at Emanuel Lutheran Church in La Habra, CA, celebrated the Blessing of the Animals on October 4, I found myself coming back to this question as an adult, and maybe you have, too.
Although the Bible does not give us a direct answer, I can confidently say that the creatures and all of creation we love are part of God’s Kingdom here on earth. They are part of the beautiful web of creation God has entrusted to us and called us to care for.
We celebrated the Blessing of the Animals on this particular Sunday because October 4 is the day we remember St. Francis of Assisi, who was known for preaching to the birds and referring to all creatures as “brothers” and “sisters.” St. Francis reminds us that creation is not simply something around us, but something we are connected to and called to care for.
As we give thanks for the saints who have entered into the Kingdom of God, October also invites us to learn about another beautiful tradition of remembering those who have gone before us. Since this is not my culture or tradition, I am turning it over to Lilly, Emanuel’s wonderful office manager, who will share with you the meaning and importance of an ofrenda:
“Dia de los Muertos is a beautiful tradition celebrated primarily in Mexico and some of Latin America, and now in the U.S. It is a time when we believe our loved ones who have passed away cross over to be with us for the day. Every year on November 1st and 2nd I celebrate by creating an ofrenda or altar with photographs of loved ones who have passed on. Each item on the ofrenda carries special meaning. A glass of water is placed for our loved ones as it is believed they may be thirsty from their journey. I like to set up my ofrenda by adding photos of the babies I lost along with baby bottles of milk and toys. In the ofrenda we add food such as pan de Muerto (bread of the dead) along with food or items that remind us of the people we love and lost. And of course, we cannot forget the beautiful cempasuchiles, or marigolds and candles that help guide our loved ones to the ofrenda. For me, this tradition is a way to remember, honor, and feel close to those who will always remain in my heart.”
As we enter this season of remembering, I invite you to think about your own traditions. What is your tradition or celebration for remembering those you have loved who are now saints walking with you today? How do you keep alive their stories, their love, and the ways they shaped your life?
There is something beautiful about remembering that we do not walk this journey alone. The saints who have gone before us continue to walk with us, reminding us of the love we have shared and the love of God that holds us all together and we praise God for them on November 1st, All Saint’s Sunday!
Blessings,
Rev. Amanda Pulos and Lilly Hernandez
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