What is the Blessing of the Animals, and is it biblical?
What is the Blessing of the Animals, and is it biblical?
Answer
The practice of blessing animals, as observed in some religious traditions such as Episcopal, Anglican, Catholic, and Methodist, is a way to acknowledge the importance of animals in God’s creation and to celebrate the bond between humans and animals. The Bible speaks of God’s care for animals, such as in Genesis 1:22, where God blesses animals and tells them to be fruitful. The Bible neither directly prohibits nor mandates blessing animals, so a church’s decision to do it (or not) is a matter of tradition rather than Scripture.
According to those who support blessing animals, the practice is a way of asking for God’s protection and care for His creatures. Genesis 1:26 teaches that God gave humans stewardship over animals, giving them a responsibility to care for His creatures: “Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground’” (ESV). Blessing animals in a church is a way to acknowledge this responsibility.
The Bible teaches that God cares for animals. Psalm 50:10–11 affirms God’s ownership and care for all living creatures: “For every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thous and hills. I know every bird in the mountains, and the insects in the fields are mine.” For some, blessing animals is a way to highlight the value of the animal world as well as God’s care for them.
The Gospels don’t record Jesus blessing animals, but He often refers to them in positive ways in His teachings. For instance, Jesus speaks of God’s care for sparrows, showing that even the smallest creatures are significant to God: “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?” He asks. “And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father” (Matthew 10:29, ESV). Some churches believe that blessing animals reflects God’s attentiveness to them.
Historically, the idea of blessing animals has long been part of Christian tradition, particularly in Roman Catholic and Anglican traditions. Francis of Assisi(1181—1226), an Italian friar who was known for his love for animals, is often associated with this practice. Some Christians celebrate Francis’ feast day on October 4 with a “Blessing of the Animals” ceremony, honoring their place in creation. Francis’ theology emphasized that all creatures worship God in some manner. By blessing animals, Christians acknowledge they are part of God’s creation and have a responsibility to care for all He has made.
The distinction between human and divine blessing is important to understand. The Bible teaches that God is the ultimate source of all blessing (Ephesians 1:3). When humans bless others, including animals, they are asking for God’s favor and protection, not replacing Him as the source of blessing. When people bless animals, they are praying for God’s care over His creatures, recognizing that all blessings come from Him (James 1:17).
Concerns about blessing animals have to do with the intent behind the practice. We should be careful not to attribute spiritual significance to animals beyond what Scripture supports. It’s important to maintain proper theological boundaries, recognizing that animals are part of creation but distinct from humans, who are created in God’s image.
In summary, there is nothing unbiblical about blessing animals if the practice is focused on care and gratitude for God’s creation. Some traditions have adopted this practice to honor the relationship between humans and animals and to reflect God’s love for all creatures.