In the liturgical readings this past week at Mass, the first reading came from The Book of Wisdom, Chapter 11 & 12. It is scripture that I included in my book Animals in Heaven? Catholics Want to Know! It is a beautiful and encompassing detailing of God’s mercy for ALL THINGS.

Indeed, before you the whole universe is as a grain from a balance, or a drop of morning dew come down upon the earth. But you have mercy on all, because you can do all things; and you overlook the sins of men that they may repent. For you love all things that are and loathe nothing that you have made; for what you hated, you would not have fashioned. And how could a thing remain, unless you willed it; or be preserved, had it not been called forth by you? But you spare all things, because they are yours, O Lord and lover of souls, for your imperishable spirit is in all things! (Saint Joseph New Catholic Edition, Douay Rheims)

The whole exhortation is magnificent….but the last sentence brings it all home! Would God cast to dust that non-human creation which He created as “good” to give him praise? I think not!

.