Pet Blessing

no, blanket everyone.

 

Bless

G2127 εὐλογέω eulogeō yoo-log-eh'-o
From a compound of G2095 and G3056; to speak well of, that is, (religiously) to bless (thank or invoke a benediction upon, prosper): - bless, praise.

Blessing

G2129 εὐλογία eulogia yoo-log-ee'-ah
From the same as G2127; fine speaking, that is, elegance of language; commendation (“eulogy”), that is, (reverentially) adoration; religiously, benediction; by implication consecration; by extension benefit or largess: - blessing (a matter of) bounty (X -tifully), fair speech.

benediction

n 1: the act of praying for divine protection [syn: blessing] 2: a ceremonial prayer invoking divine protection [syn: blessing]

What is wrong with praying for divine protection of your pet?

What is wrong with praying for divine protection of your motorcycle?

What is wrong with praying for divine protection for anything?

Do you think God is not powerful enough to effect divine protection on the mundanist of things?

 

You're right, I don't believe in prayer cloths... I'm not pentecostal, I am baptist...

We have the Spirit here with us.. to substitute anything for the Spirit is blashemy...

Why can't God bless the animals without anointing them?
Why can't God heal without using a prayer cloth?

It is God that heals, and blesses, not the elements we use.

And why anoint bikes... the oil goes in the bike, not on the bike.

 

I can fathom praying for God's blessing, protection, and love for many things, even including animals, but the assumption in these St. Francis observations seems to be that a minister uttering words conveys some special qualities to the thing/creature in front of him. That is playing at magic rather than engaging in prayer.

I am reminded of times when someone would be a little late for a meal at our church and would stop by with his/her plate to ask, "Pastor, has this food been blessed?". Great day, the words I may have said do not alter the food itself; the issue is whether you in your heart are grateful for it and acknowledge its Giver.

For the first time this year, I notice some Lutheran churches around here advertising St. Francis day animal blessings. Feels like a fad .. maybe one of those occasions when an ancient observance is expected to drawn in post-moderns looking for an "experience."

One of my friends, a Baptist pastor, was portrayed several years ago standing on the banks of the Potomac River for the "blessing of the fleet" on some nautical occasion! Not for me ....